.  •  • . '. . 


FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


Section      <D^bO 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/praierpraOOamer 


J& 


JUN    1 


Tl 


SONGS^>y^ 


OF 


PRAYER    AND    PRAISE, 


PUR  LIS  TIED    BY    THE 

AMERICAN     TRACT     SOCIETY. 

28   CORNHILL,   BOSTON. 


x— • *\~s  ^ — * 


^M 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1861,  by  the 

AMERICAN  TRACT   SOCIETY, 

in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


GEO.    C.    BAND    &   AVERY, 
ELECTROTYPERS     AND     PRINTERS. 


^~^jm 


INDEX    OE    SUBJECTS. 


I1 


! 


Abel  entering-  heaven 104 

Abide  with  us 20 

Abou  Ben  Adhem's  dream 156 

Advice 05 

Affliction 147 

A  hymn IIS 

A  little  bird  I  am 124 

All,  all  is  known  to  thee 159       / 

An  ancient  choral       149        ) 

"Angels  that  are  to  be." 14       ( 

A  morning-  hymn 200 

A  prayer 28 

A  prayer  for  divine  strength 108       ( 

A  prayer 109       ) 

A  prayer  for  guidance 151 

Beyond  the  river 40        ) 

Be  strong  in  the  Lord 42       ( 

Be  strong 176 

Be  ye  patient 36 

Bringing  our  sheaves  with  us 189 

Childlike  submission 110       ( 

Christian  duty 59 

Christian  trust 06 

Christian  confidence 86 

Come,  Holy  Spirit 11 

Consecration 62 

Conversion * 136       ( 

Confession    ,  , 140      J) 

k  3 


INDEX    OF    SUBJECTS.                                              *■ 
I 

Distractions  in  prayer .- 115      ( 

Drawing  nearer 102 


Earthly  and  heavenly  interest 101 

Eternity 182 

Evening  song 92 

Evening  prayer 133 

Evening  hymn 157 

Exaggeration  of  ill 105 

First  and  last 04 

From  thee  cometh  help 48 

Fullness  of  Christ 105 

Girl's  thoughts  on  her  twentieth  birthday    j 07 

God's  support  and  guidance 90 

God's  goodness 186 

Going  Home 142 

Growing  in  Grace  .  . 145 

Hagar  and  Ishmael 107 

Haste  not!    Rest  not! 13 

Heavenward 29 

Heaven 107 

Heavenly  Sowing 171 

Hiding  in  God 15 

Humility 83 

Hymn  of  trust 30 

Invocation 39 

I  hold  still 44 

I) 

Jesus,  still  lead  on 57 

)      Jesus,  lead  the  way 72 

v      Judge  not 120 

Life  springing  from  death 195 

Life's  purpose \ 150 

Listen,  listen  to  the  hour 120 


INDEX    OF    SUBJECTS. 


Longings  for  heaven CO 

Love  to  my  Lord 31  ) 

Low  spirits 51  \ 

Mercies 119  ( 

Music 96  ( 

My  God,  I  know  that  I  must  die 40  ) 

My  times  are  in  thy  hand 18  \ 

My  work 51  ^ 

Night  song 113  ) 

Night  musings 164  ) 

"  Nothing  but  leaves  " 35  ( 

None  but  Christ 74 


1 


: 


Only  waiting 180       ( 

)      Out  in  the  cold 122 

Peace 78 

11  Peace  like  a  river  " 190 

Prayer 58       / 

Prayer  for  mercy 00 

Prayer  for  divine  grace 177 

Psalm  130 84       ) 

Pupil  and  tutor 38         ) 

{  < 

|      Pest 79        [) 

Pest  and  labor 144       ( 

Pest,  weary  soul 207       / 

Besting  in  God 204 

Pivcr  of  God 102 

Self-condemnation 73 

Sick  and  in  prison 49 

Sloth 32 

Sowing  and  reaping 70 

Strive,  wait,  and  pray 129 

Sweet  hope 187 


INDEX    OF    SUBJECTS. 


(         Tarry  with  me 109 

)        Thankfulness 154 

The  beautiful  land 19? 

The  day  laborer 178 

)       The  eternal  years 192 

The  gifts  of  God    .... 172 

The  guiding-  hand 131 

)       The  heart's  song 98 


The  heart's  core 139 

The  land  of  promise ..HO 

The  ordeal 94 

The  pilgrim 87 

The  pilgrim  of  earth 127 

The  peace  of  God 100 

)       The  true  shepherd 25 

The  wicket  gate 1S4 

The  world 80 

The  word  of  the  Lord 130 

"  This  tabernacle  " 22 

'        Thoughts  in  a  wheat  field 100 

)       Traveler's  hymn 203 

Via  crucis,  via  lucis 17 

Vi  et  armis 70 

Wake  thou  that  slcepest 53 

Want  of  thought 99 

Welcome  death 191 

Withdrawing  from  God 114 

Would  you  be  young  again 75 

Zinzendorff's  hymn 199 


INDEX    OF    FIRST    LINES. 


Abide  with  me ;  fast  falls  the  eventide 20 

Abou  Ben  Adhera  (may  his  tribe  increase) 156 

Ah,  dearest  Lord    I  can  not  pray 115 

)       Alas  !  I  have  walked  through  life 99 

A  little  bird  I  am 124 

Another  portion  of  life  rolls  on 182 

\       A  somber,  moonless,  leaden  sky  above 32 

(] 

Be  not  afraid  to  pray 58 

Ben  Adam  had  a  golden  coin,  one  day 1G1 

Beside  the  toilsome  way 36 

\       Be  strong-  in  the  Lord  and  the  power  of  his  might .    42 

Be  strong  to  hope,  O  heart ! 170 

Beyond  these  chilling  winds  and  gloomy  skie3  .  .  .  167 

\       Beyond  the  smiling  and  the  weeping 187 

)       Christ's  blood  and  righteousness  to  me 199 

(         Come,  Holy  Spirit!  from  the  hight 11 

Come,  my  soul,  thou  must  be  waking 200 


Dear  Lord,  this  world  which  thou  hast  wrought 


Father,  I  know  that  all  my  life 13 

)       Father,  in  thy  mysterious  presence  kneeling   ....  28 

Father,  I  have  wandered  far 39 

Father!  the  skies  are  dark  above  me 151 

Fever  and  fret  and  aimless  stir 54 

Forsake  me  not,  my  God 90 

From  my  lips  in  their  defilement 02 

From  the  deeps  of  grief  and  fear 84 


INDEX    OF    FIRST    LINES. 


Girlhood's  sunny  days  are  over 67 

Give  me  a  heart  of  calm  repose 196 

Had  I  a  thousand  hearts,  I'd  raise 31 

Heart,  be  still 113 

Heart,  heart,  lie  still 139 

)      noly  Zion!  land  supernal 69 

How  shalt  thou  bear  the  cross  that  now 192 

How  sweet  it  were,  if  without  feeble  fright 14 

J)      How  meanly  dwells  the  immortal  mind  ! 22 

I  come  to  thee,  to-night 133 

I  have  a  work  to  do 51 

In  the  silent  midnight  watches 98 

)      In  his  wide  fields  walks  the  Master 100 

In  the  still  silence  of  the  voiceless  night 104 

Is  this  the  way  my  Father?    'Tis,  my  child     ....  131 
I  thank  thee,  O  my  God !  who  made 154 

Jesus,  still  lead  on 57 

\      Jesus,  lead  the  way 72 

Jesus,  the  soul  of  music  is 90 

)      Judge  not  j  the  workings  of  his  brain 120 

Lamb  of  God,  harmless,  holy 149 

)      Listen,  listen  to  the  hour! 120 

Live  for  thyself,  let  each  successive  morn 150 

Lord,  many  times  I  am  weary  quite 73 

)      Lord,  a  happy  child  of  thine 92 

Lord,  go  with  us,  and  we  go 203 

Mid  the  fast  falling  shadows  .  .  .   > 184 

My  God,  I  know  that  I  must  die 40 

My  God,  whose  gracious  pity  I  may  claim 159 

My  soul,  be  strong !  confront  thy  life 70 

My  soul,  there  is  a  countrie^ 78 

My  soul,  what  hast  thou  done  for  God 172 


INDEX    OF    FIRST     LINES. 


Nearer!  yes,  we  felt  it  not 102 

Not  from  the  work  appointed  us  to  do 15 

Nothing  but  leaves  ;  the  spirit  grieves 35 

O  faith  !  thou  workest  miracles 13G 

O  gracious  God,  my  fainting  heart 109 

Oh  for  those  solitary  hours 177 

Oh,  send  me  not  away  !  for  I  would  drink 108 

Oh,  what  a  load  of  struggle  and  distress GO 

Oh,  what  a  cunning  guest 140 

O  love  divine  !  that  stooped  to  share 30 

Ouly  waiting  till  the  shadows 180 

O  Saviour,  pity  all  who  weep GO 

O  thou  great  Friend  to  all  the  sons  of  men 118 

Pain's  furnace  heat  within  me  quivers 44 

Pilgrim  of  earth,  who  art  journey iug  to  heaven  ...  127 

Pest,  weary  soul 207 

River  of  God  !  that  springcst . 102 

Since  thy  Father's  arm  sustains  thee 204 

So,  in  our  simple  creed     29 

Source  of  my  life's  refreshing  springs IG6 

Sow  with  a  generous  hand 7G 

Sower  Divine 171 

Sow  ye  beside  all  waters 178 

Still  onward  through  this  land  of  foes 87 

Still,  soft,  and  white  upon  the  tasscled  pine    .  .   .  .119 

Strive,  yet  I  do  not  promise 129 

Sweet  Saviour !  bless  us  ere  we  go 157 

Tarry  with  me,  O  my  Saviour 1G9 

Ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  sung 104 

There  is  a  river  deep  and  wide 40 

The  air  is  cold,  the  way  is  dark  and  dreary 122 

The  seed  must  die  before  the  corn  appears 195 

The  bird  that  soars  on  higliest  wing 83 


m 


INDEX    OF    FIRST    LINES. 


The  world  is  wise,  for  the  world  is  old 80 

The  Lord,  he  is  my  strength  and  stay 74 

The  time  for  toil  is  past,  and  night  is  come    ....  1S9 

There  is  a  land  immortal     197 

They  sank  amid  the  wilderness 107 

They  are  going,  only  going 142 

There  is  a  land  where  beauty  will  not  fade 14G 

Thou  grace  Divine,  encircling  all 186 

This  did  not  once  so  trouble  me 1-io 

Through  the  cross  comes  the  crown 17 

Thy  word,  O  Lord,  like  gentle  dews 130 

'Tis  first  the  true,  and  then  the  beautiful 64 

'Tis  sweet  to  feel  that  he  who  tries 94 

To  be  the  thing  we  seem 50 

Two  hands  upon  the  breast H4 

Wake,  thou  that  sleepest  in  enchanted  bowers    .  .  .    53 

Weary,  Lord,  of  struggling  here 79 

We  must  feel  ere  we  can  pity 05 

We  overstate  the  ills  of  life,  and  take 105 

We  will  not  weep,  for  God  is  standing  by  us  .   .   .   .    80 

What  shall  I  do,  lest  life  in  silence  pass 38 

What  the  heart  is  at  the  birth 105 

What  pleases  God,  O  pious  soul 110 

When  death  is  drawing  near 191 

When  we  are  dark  and  dead 114 

Who  that  a  watcher  doth  remain 147 

Wildly  falls  the  night  around  me 49 

Without  haste !  without  rest 13 

Would  you  be  young  again 75 


10 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 


<£@x»©,  Holy  Spirit. 


Come,  Holy  Spirit!  from  the  height 
Of  heaven  send  down  thy  blessed  light : 

Come,  Father  of  the  friendless  poor, 
Giver  of  gifts,  and  light  of  hearts, — 
Come,  with  that  unction  which  imparts 

Such  consolations  as  endure. 

ii. 

The  soul's  refreshment  and  her  guest, 
Shelter  in  heat,  in  labor  rest, 

The  sweetest  solace  in  our  woe :  — 
Come,  blissful  Light !  Oh,  come   and  fill, 
In  all  thy  faithful,  heart  and  will, 

And  make  our  inward  fervor  glow. 

11 


w 


SONGS   OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


III. 

Where  thou  art,  Lord,  there  is  no  ill, 
For  Evil's  self  thy  light  can  kill ; 

Oh,  let  that  light  upon  us  rise ! 
Lord,  heal  our  wounds,  and  cleanse  our  stains, 
Fountain  of  grace,   and  with  thy  rains 

Our  barren  spirits  fertilize. 

IV. 
Bend  with  thy  fires  our  stubborn  will, 
And  quicken  what  the  world  would  chill, 

And  homeward  call  the  feet  that  stray  : 
Virtue's  reward,   and  final  grace, 
The  eternal  vision,  face  to  face,  — 

Spirit  of  Love,  for  these  we  pray. 

[Frederick  Faber.] 


12 


S  gg 


HASTE     NOT!     REST     NOT! 


Haste  aotl  Rest  not  I 

Without  haste  !  without  rest ! 
Bind  the  motto  to  thy  breast; 
Bear  it  with  thee  as  a  spell; 
Storm  or  sunshine,  guard  it  well ! 
Heed  not  flowers  that  round  thee  bloom, 
Bear  it  onward  to  the  tomb  ! 

Haste  not !  let  no  thoughtless  deed 
Mar  for  aye  the  spirit's  speed  ! 
Ponder  well  and  know  the  right, 
Onward  then  with  all  thy  might ! 
Haste  not !  years  can  ne'er  atone 
For  one  reckless  action  done. 

Rest  not !  life  is  sweeping  by, 
Go  and  dare  before  you  die: 
Something  mighty  and  sublime 
Leave  behind  to  conquer  time  ! 
Glorious  'tis  to  live  for  aye, 
When  these  forms  have  passed  away. 

Haste  not !  rest  not !  calmly  wait : 
Meekly  bear  the  storms  of  fate ! 


m 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE.                              «££\ 
( 

Duty  be  thy  polar  guide, —  ( 

Do  the  right,  whate'er  betide  !  ) 

Haste  not !  rest  not !  conflicts  past, 
God  shall  crown  thy  work  at  last.  ) 

[From  the  German  of  Goethe.]  \ 

( 

(' 

) 

( 

"Aagels  ftat  are  to  be™         { 

a 

How  sweet  it  were  if,  without  feeble  fright,  ( 

) 
Or  dying  of  the  dreadful,  beauteous  sight,  n 

An  angel  came  to  us,  and  we  could  bear  ) 

To  see  him  issue  from  the  silent  air  ) 

At  evening  in  our  room,  and  bend  on  ours  ) 


^e^3'v^ 


His  eyes  divine,  and  bring  us  from  his  bowers  m 
News  of   dear  friends,  and  children  who   have 

never 

Been  dead  indeed,  —  as  we  shall  know  for  ever.         ( 
Alas  !  we  think  not  what  we  daily  see,  ) 

About  our  hearths,  angels  that  are  to  "be,  ) 

Or  may  be  if  they  will,  and  we  prepare 
Their  souls  and  ours  to  meet  in  happy  air,  — 
A  child,  a  friend,  a  wife  whose  soft  heart  sings 
In  unison  with  ours,  breeding  its  future  wings.  ( 


[Leigh  Hunt.] 

M%  m 0. 


HIDING    IN    GOD.  ^fi 


Hiding  in  GmL 


"  Thou  shalt  hide  them  in  the  secret  of  thy  presence.    Thou  shalt 
)        keep  them  secretly  in  a  pavilion." —  Psalm  xxxi.  20. 


Xot  from  the  work  appointed  us  to  do, 

Our  Maker  hides  us; 
Xot  from  the  suffering  of  mortal  woe, 

That  oft  betides  us : 

•  But  whoso  treadeth  where  the  Saviour  trod, 
Where  duty  guideth, 
Fearful  of  nothing  but  the  power  of  God, 
His  Maker  hideth. 

He  walks  amid  the  furnace-fires  alone, 

Yet  well  attended; 
For  lo !  there  stands  beside  him  God's  own  Son, 

To  earth  descended. 

Thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  smitten  lie 

Breathless  around  him ; 
Safe  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High, 

Death  hath  not  found  him. 

15  i 


Quiet  in  God,  —  the  ever-present  seal 

Of  faith  unspoken, — 
Believing  faces,  —  infant  lips  reveal 

Its  nameless  token ; 


A  gift  bestowed  upon  the  poor  oppressed, 

To  kings  forbidden ; 
Beneath  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  to  rest, 

Securely  hidden. 

To  bear  for  them  the  cross,  as  if  for  thee, 

Strengthen  me  ever; 
Among  thine  hidden  ones,  oh,  number  me, 

Now  and  for  ever.  A. 


) 
) 


16 


M 


VIA    CRUCIS,    VIA    LUCIS. 


'.' 


Yia  Graces*  ¥ia  Luc! 

"  The  way  of  the  Cross  the  way  of  Light.' 


Through  the  cross  comes  the  crown ;  when  the  ( 

cares  of  this  life,  ( 

Like  giants  in   strength,  may   to   crush  thee  ( 

combine,  ) 

Never  mind,  never  mind  !  after  sorrow's  sad  strife  ) 

Shall  the  peace  and  the  crown  of  salvation  be  ) 

thine.  ^ 


i 
)     Through  woe  comes  delight ;  if  at  evening  thou       ) 

sigh, 

And  thy  soul  still  at  midnight  in  sorrow  ap- 
pears, 
Never  mind,  never  mind  !  for  the  morning  is  nigh,      ( 

Whose  sunbeams  of  gladness  shall  dry  up  thy      ( 
tears ! 

Through  death  comes  our  life ;  to  the  portal  of 
pain, 
Through  Time's  thistle-fields,  are   our  weary      ( 
steps  driven ; 
Never  mind,  never  mind !  through  this  passage 
we  gain 
The  mansions  of  light  and  the  portals  of  heaven. 

[From  the  German  of  Roscgarten.] 


/T^  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 

!; 

\  Psalm  xxxi.  15. 

)  D 

(  Father,  I  know  that  all  my  life 

Is  portioned  out  for  me;  ( 

And  the  changes  that  are  sure  to  come,  ( 

)  I  do  not  fear  to  see;  ) 

)  But  I  ask  thee  for  a  present  mind 

)  Intent  on  pleasing  thee 

)  I  ask  thee  for  a  thankful  love, 


i 

1) 
( 

j  Through  constant  watching,  wise  j 

(  To  meet  the  glad  with  joyful  smiles, 

(  And  to  wipe  the  weeping  eyes ;  ( 

(  And  a  heart  at  leisure  from  itself,  ( 

)  To  soothe  and  sympathize.  ) 

)  I  would  not  have  the  restless  will  ) 

)  That  hurries  to  and  fro, 

)  Seeking  for  some  great  thing  to  do,  ]) 

K  Or  secret  thing  to  know ;  j 

I  would  be  dealt  with  as  a  child, 

And  guided  where  to  go.  (I 

)  &  fo  D 

) 
(• 


S. 


18 


MY    TIMES    ARE    IN    THY    HAND. 


Wherever  in  the  world  I  am, 

In  whatsoe'er  estate, 
I  have  a  fellowship  with  hearts, 

To  keep  and  cultivate ; 
And  a  work  of  holy  love  to  do, 

For  the  Lord  on  whom  I  wait. 

I  ask  thee  for  the  daily  strength,     - 

To  none  that  ask  denied ; 
And  a  mind  to  blend  with  outward  life, 

"While  keeping  at  thy  side, 
Content  to  fill  a  little  space, 

If  thou  be  glorified. 

And  if  some  things  I  do  not  ask 

In  my  cup  of  blessing  be, 
I  would  have  my  spirit  filled  the  more 

With  grateful  love  to  thee, — 
More  careful  than  to  serve  thee  much, 

To  please  thee  perfectly. 

There  are  briers  besetting  every  path, 

That  call  for  patient  care ; 
There  is  a  crook  in  every  lot, 

And  a  need  for  earnest  prayer ; 
But  a  lowly  heart  that  leans  on  thee 

Is  happy  every  where. 

19 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


{ 

(  In  a  service  that  thy  love  appoints, 


) 

( 

/  There  are  no  bonds  for  me,  ) 

)  For  my  secret  heart  is  taught  the  truth  ) 


)  That  makes' thy  children  "free;" 

j  And  a  life  of  self-renouncing  love 

(  Is  a  life  of  liberty.  ( 


) 


( 

) 
( 

) 
( 

(' 

«' 

)  "If  a  man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my  words  :  and  my  Father  will 

(  love  him,  and  we  will  come  unto  him,  and  make  our  abode  with 

)  him."  — Jon^  xiv.  23. 
( 

)  Abide  with  me  ;  fast  falls  the  eventide ;  ) 

\  The  darkness  thickens.     Lord,  with  me  abide  ; 

(  When  other  helpers  fail,  and  comforts  flee, 

(  Help  of  the  helpless,  oh,  abide  with  me  ! 

( 

(      Swift  to  its  close  ebbs  out  life's  little  day ; 


Earth's  joys  grow  dim,  its  glories  pass  away ; 
I)     Change  and  decay  in  all  around  I  sec,  — ■ 
)     O  Thou  who  change st  not,  abide  with  me  ! 


20 


ABIDE    WITH     US. 


M 


Not  a  brief  glance  I  crave,  a  passing  word, 
But  as  thou  dwelTst  with  thy  disciples,  Lord, — 
Familiar,  condescending,  pati^it,  free  ; 
Come  not  to  sojourn,  but  abide  with  me. 

Come  not  in  terrors,  as  the  King  of  kings, 
But  kind  and  good,  with  healing  on  thy  wings,  — 
Tears  for  all  woes,  a  heart  for  every  plea  ; 
Come,  Friend  of  sinners,  thus  abide  with  me. 

Thou  on  my  head  in  early  youth  didst  smile, 
And  though"  rebellious  and  perverse  meanwhile, 
Thou  hast  not  left  me,  oft  as  I  left  thee ; 
On  to  the  close,  O  Lord,  abide  with  me ! 

I  need  thy  presence  every  passing  hour ; 
What  but  thy  grace  can  foil  the  tempter's  power  ? 
Who  like  thyself  my  guide  and  stay  can  be  ?       m 
Through  cloud  and  sunshine,  oh,  abide  with  me. 

I  fear  no  foe,  with  thee  at  hand  to  bless ; 
Ills  have  no  weight,  and  fears  no  bitterness. 
AVhere  is  death's  sting?  where,  Grave,  thy  vic- 
tory ? 
I  triumph  still  if  thou  abide  with  me. 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


Hold  thou  thy  cross  before  my  closing  eyes : 
Shine  through  the  gloom,  and  point  me  to  the  skies ; 
Heaven's  morning  toeaks,  and  earth's  vain  shadows 

flee  ; 
In  life,  in  death,  O  Lord,  abide  with  me ! 

[H.  F.  Lyte.] 


— «^-e^a^**- 


U 


"  For  we  know  that,  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dis- 
solved, we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens."  — 2  Corixtiiia>ts  v.  1. 


How  meanly  dwells  the  immortal  mind ! 

How  vile  these  bodies  are ! 
Why  was  a  clod  of  earth  designed 

To  inclose  a  heavenly  star? 

Weak  cottage  where  our  souls  reside ! 

This  flesh  a  tottering  wall, 
With  frightful  breaches  gaping  wide, 

The  building  bends  to  fall! 


<'- 


22 


V — *    V-*^ 


"THIS    TABERNACLE.'' 


V 


All  round  it  storms  of  trouble  blow, 

And  waves  of  trouble  roll, 
Cold  winds  and  winter  storms  beat  through 

And  pain  the  tenant  soul. 

"  Alas  !  how  frail  our  state,"  said  I, 
And  thus  went  mourning  on, 
Till  sudden  from  the  clearing  sky 
A  gleam  of  glory  shone. 


My  soul  felt  all  the  glory  come, 

And  breathed  her  native  air ; 
Then  she  remembered  heaven  her  home, 

And  she  a  prisoner  here. 

( 


Straight  she  began  to  change  her  key, 

And,  joyful  in  her  pains, 
She  sung  the  frailty  of  her  clay, 

In  pleasurable  strains. 


23 


i 

<; 

How  weak  the  prison  where  I  dwell !  \ 

Flesh  but  a  tottering  wall; 
The  breaches  cheerfully  foretell 

The  house  must  shortly  fall.  ( 


J 

as 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


No  more,  my  friends,  shall  I  complain, 
Though  all  my  heart-strings  ache  ; 

Welcome  disease  and  every  pain 
That  makes  the  cottage  shake  ! 


Now  let  the  tempest  blow  all  round, 

Now  swell  the  surges  high, 
And  beat  the  house  of  bondage  down, 

And  let  the  stranger  fly. 

I  have  p,  mansion  built  above 

By  the  eternal  Hand, 
And  should  the  earth's  old  basis  move ; 

My  heavenly  house  must  stand. 

[Watts.] 


24 


M 


THE    TRUE    SHEPHERD. 


Tb.o  Ttm  SIieplicccL 


"  My  sheep  hear  my  voice,  and  I  know  them,  and  they  follow 
me."  —  Joiix  v.  10. 


I  was  wandering  and  weary 

When  my  Saviour  came  unto  me ; 
For  the  ways  of  sin  grew  dreary, 

And  the  world  had  ceased  to  woo  me: 
And  I  thought  I  heard  him  say, 
As  he  came  along  his  way, 

O  silly  souls !  come  near  me  ; 
My  sheep  should  never  fear  me  ; 
I  am  the   Shepherd  true  i 

At  first  I  would  not  hearken, 

And  put  off  till  the  morrow ; 
But  life  began  to  darken, 

And  ^was  sick  with  sorrow ; 
And  I  thought  I  heard  him  say, 
As  he  came  along  his  way, 

O  silly  souls !  come  near  me  ; 
My  sheep  should  never  fear  me 
I  am  the  Shepherd  true ! 


25 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 

< 

( 

At  last  I  stopped  to  listen ; 
(  His  voice  could  not  deceive  me;  ( 

(  I  saw  his  kind  eyes  glisten,  ( 

<■ 


/  So  anxious  to  relieve  me; 

)  And  I  thought  I  heard  him  say,  ) 

)  As  he  came  along  his  way, 


L-\£»" 


O  silly  souls!  come  near  me; 


(  My  sheep  should  never  fear  me ; 


And  said  how  he  had  missed  me; 


26 


j  **M.J  ^VV^         ^XXV,LXXVX        XXV,   TV,*  1VU1        XXXV,, 

(  I  am  the  Shepherd  true  !  ( 


i1 


<: 

D  He  took  me  on  his  shoulder,  ) 

)  And  tenderly  he  kissed  me ;  ) 

He  bade  my  love  be  bolder. 


) 

..xxv.      ,cx r       xxv,     ^--u     xxxv,,  >} 

(  And  I'm  sure  I  heard  him  say,  ( 

(  As  he  went  along  his  way,  ( 

)  O  silly  souls !  come  near  me ; 

)  My  sheep  should  never  fear  me; 

)  I  am  the   Shepherd  true !  | 

I1 


(  Strange  gladness  seemed  to  move  him, 

(                  Whenever  I  did  better;  ( 

And  he  coaxed  me  so  to  love  him,  ) 

As  if  he  was  my  debtor;  ) 

J 


THE    TRUE    SHEPHERD. 


H} 


And  I  always  heard  him  say, 
As  he  went  along  his  way,  ( 

O  silly  souls !  come  near  me  ;  ) 

)    -  My  sheep  should  never  fear  me*,  ) 

I  am  the  Shepherd  true  !  ) 


I  thought  his  love  would  weaken,  ^ 

As  more  and  more  he  knew  me ; 
But  it  burneth  like  a  beacon, 

And  its  light  and  heat  go  through  me ; 
And  I  ever  hear  him  say, 
As  he  goes  along  his  way, 

O  silly  souls  !  come  near  me  ;  ( 

My  sheep  should  never  fear  me 
I  am  the  Shepherd  true  ! 


Let  us  do,  then,  dearest  brothers, 

What  will  best  and  longest  please  us 
Follow  not  the  ways  of  others, 
But  trust  ourselves  to  Jesus ; 
We  shall  ever  hear  him  say, 
As  he  goes  along  his  way, 

O  silly  souls!  come* near  me; 
My  sheep  should  never  fear  me  ; 
I  am  the  Shepherd  true  ! 

[Frederick  Faber.]        J 
27  $&, 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


Father,  in  thy  mysterious  presence  kneeling, 
Fain  would  our  souls  feel  all  thy  kindling  love, 

For  we  are  weak,  and  need  some  deep  revealing 
Of  trust,   and  strength,  and    calmness    from 
above. 

Lord,  we  have  wandered  forth  through  doubt  and 
sorrow, 

And  thou  hast  made  each  step  an  onward  one, 
And  we  will  ever  trust  each  unknown  morrow, — 

Thou  wilt  sustain  us  till  its  work  is  done. 

In  the  heart's  depths  a  peace  serene  and  holy 
Abides,  and  when  Pain  seems  to  have  her  will, 

Or  we  despair,  —  oh,  may  that  peace  rise  slowly, 
Stronger  than  agony,  and  we  be  still ! 

Now,  Father,  —  now,  in  thy  dear  presence  kneel- 
ing* 

Our  spirits  yearn  to  feel  thy  kindling  love ; 
Oh,  make  us  strong  !  we  need  thy  deep  revealing 

Of  trust,  and  strength,  and  calmness,  from  above. 


28 


HEAVENWARD.                                                      *"<,  ) 
Q 


(' 


,' 


( 


. 


Heavenward. 


"  For  they  that  say  such  things  declare  plainly  that  they  seek  a 
country/'  — IIe brews  xi.  14. 


So,  in  our  simple  creed 
We  drop  the  frail  mortality  we  wear, 

And — laud  to  Him  who  for  our  sakes  did  bleed, 
And  on  his  cross  our  bitter  griefs  did  bear ; 
We  know  our  ransomed  nature  certain  heir 

Of  deathless  being  from  its  dying  seed. 
They  who  nurse  hopes  live  every  day  an  age, 
And  strive  moi4pfleet  to  live  by  living  well ; 
(      And  so  we  hasten  on  our  pilgrimage, 

Plucking  earth's  flowers,  but  fain   in  heaven 
to  dwell. 
Life  in  our  ear  doth  mean  eternity, 

And  time,  our  staff,  but  speeds  us  on  our  way, 
While  all  around  poor  voyagers  we  see 
Who  bear  it  but  to  chronicle  each  day, 
I       And  notch  the  hurrying  hours  of  destiny 
>  In  fearful  units,  numbering  for  dismay 

The  lavished  seeds  of  immortality. 

[Arthur  Coxc.] 


Wl^ 


29  m 


of  Trust. 


that  trust  in  him  shall  be  desolate."—  Psalm  xxxiv.  22. 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE.  ^l\ 

( 

>  ( 

) 

( 
) 

( 
) 

( 

(' 

The  Lord  redeemeth  the  soul  of  his  servants  ;  and  none  of  them        ) 

<; 

O  Love  divine  !  that  stooped  to  share  ( 

Our  sharpest  pang,  our  bitterest  tear,  ■*-  ( 

On  thee  we  cast  each  earth-born  care ;  r 

We  smile  at  pain  while  thou  art  near.  ) 

) 
Though  long  the  weary  way  we  tread,  ) 

And  sorrows  crown  each  lingering  year,  j 

No  path  we  shun,  no  darfllBss  dread, 

Our  hearts  still  whispering  thou  art  near  !        ( 


<; 

When  drooping  pleasure  turns  to  grief,  ( 

And  trembling  faith  is  turned  to  fear,  ) 

The  murmuring  wind,  the  quivering  leaf,  ) 

Shall  softly  tell  us  thou  art  near !  ) 


.  ?a 


WL* 


On  thee  we  fling  our  burdening  woe, 

O  Love  Divine,  forever  dear, 
Content  to  suffer  while  we  know,  ( 

Living  and  dying,  thou  art  near!  < 

[Dr.  Ilolmes.]         ) 


^r- 


LOVE    TO     MY    LORD. 


Love  to  my  Lord, 

) 
( 

Let  us  lift  up  our  heart  with  our  hand9  unto  God  in  the  heavens.  ) 

Lam.  iii.  41. 


"  Had  I  a  thousand  hearts,  I'd  raise 


"Worthy  of  Him  who  reigns  above, — 

Our  heavenly  guide ! 
He  takes  the  heart  we  fain  would  give, 


( 
) 

I 

Them  all  in  my  Redeemer's  praise,"  ) 

We  sometimes  cry ; 
And  still  we  find  it  hard  to  give 
Our  one  poor  offering,  and  live 

As  he  were  by  !  ( 

Oh,  purest,  truest,  boundless  love !  ) 

«' 

I 
( 

He  deigns  in  it  himself  to  live,  ( 

With  us  to  'bide.  (} 

Tune,  Lord,  this  heart  as  t'were  a  lyre  ) 

Of  heavenly  make,  till  every  wire 

And  every  chord,  ) 

Wake  but  one  strain,  —  one  deepest  thrill  ^ 
Long,  louder,  sweeter,  fuller  still, —  ( 

Love  to  my  Lord  ! 

[From  "  Louisa  von  Plettenhaus."] 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


"  Be  not  weary  in  well  doing."     2  Thes.  iii.  13. 

A  somber,  moonless,  leaden  sky  above, 
And  on  the  windows  slowly  dropping  rain, 

A  slumberous  curtain,  shutting  out  the  sun, 
A  lulling  music,  murmuring  through  the  brain ; 

A  glowing  fire,  whose  warmth  and  softness  steal 
Through  every  sense,  as  idly  I  recline, 

And  ponder  how  to  pass  the  pleasant  hours, 
By  storm  and  solitude  made  doubly  mine. 

I  am  not  called  to  brave  the  wintry  air, 
And  go  with  others  to  the  house  of  God ; 

Sickness  and  pain  close  up  the  wonted  path 
Which,  year  by  year,  my  feet  unwearied  trod. 

To  idly  muse  before  the  glowing  light, 
To  build  up  castles  melting  into  air, 

To  fill  them  with  vague  fancies,  fleeting  guests, 
And  so  let  sleep  steal  on  me  unaware. 


This  shall  I  do,  as  dies  afar  the  chime 
Of  bells  that  mark  a  Sabbath  afternoon, 

Joining  with  wind  and  rain  in  outer  air, 
The  deep  contralto  of  a  pleasant  tune. 

'Tis  hard  to  pass  the  old  enchanted  ground, 
Nor  linger  idly  in  its  deepening  shades  ; 

To  nerve  the  dreamy  thought,  compel  the  step 
To   leave   behind  its  streams  and  pleasant 
glades. 

Let  in  the  sobbing  wind,  a  mournful  tone 
Blends  with  a  strange  and  deeply  thrilling 
power ; 
"  When  days  and  nights  so  many  are  thine  own, 
Canst  thou  not  watch  with  me  one  little  hour  ? 

"  'Tis  for  thy  safety.     I  no  longer  need 
When  compassed  by  an  angel  host ; 
But  ambushed  foes  and  traitors  thronging  come  ; 
Let  them  not  slay  thee,  sleeping  at  thy  post. 

"  This  hour  is  thine,  to  watch,  to  weep,  to  pray 
O'er  follies  past,  o'er  sins  as  yet  unshriven ; 
No  day  but  has  its  clogging,  wearying  weight 
Of  errors  unrepented,  unforgiven. 


&3 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


"  Canst  thou  not  watch  one  hour  in  thankful  love 
For  all  that  makes  thy  lot  in  life  so  blest  ? 
Beware,  lest  doom,  not  mercy,  bids  thy  heart 
At  length  sleep  on,  and  take  the  wished-for 
rest."# 


So,  back  to  prayer  and  earnest  thought  I  come ; 

Back  to  life's  conflict,  spent,  but  striving  still ; 
Or,  if  I  lie  with  folded  hands  awhile, 

'Tis  but  to  wait,  O  Lord,  thy  blessed  will. 

[Mrs.  Emily  B.  Haven.] 


84 


•NOTHING     BUT    LEAVES." 


m 


**  Nothing  liut  Leaves." 

Mark  xi.  13/ 

Nothing  but  leaves;  the  spirit  grieves 

Over  a  wasted  life ; 
Sin  committed  while  conscience  slept, 
Promises  made,  but  never  kept, 

Hatred,  battle,  and  strife; 
Nothing  but  leaves! 

Nothing  but  leaves ;  no  garnered  sheaves 

Of  life's  fair,  ripened  grain ; 
Words,  idle  words,  for  earnest  deeds ; 
We  sow  our  seeds, — lo !  tares  and  weeds; 

We  reap,  with  toil  and  pain, 
Nothing  but  leaves. 

Nothing  but  leaves;  memory  weaves 

No  veil  to  screen  the  past; 
As  we  retrace  our  weary  way,  • 
Counting  each  lost  and  misspent  day, 

We  sadly  find  at  last 
Nothing  but  leaves. 

35  M 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE.  *^>  ) 

( 

( 

(              And  snail  we  meet  the  Master  so,  ( 

(i                      Bearing  our  withered  leaves?  ( 

,)              The  Saviour  looks  for  perfect  fruit, —  ) 

)              We  stand  before  him,  humble,  mute,  ) 

)                     Waiting  the  word  he  breathes, —  ) 

"Nothing  but  leaves."  () 

[Christian  Inquirer.]       ( 

) 
(f 

(  — ~+4f&fr~~  ( 

1  f 

I 

)  "In  your  patience  possess  ye  your  souls."—  Luke  xxi.  19.  ) 

)  .  ) 

(  Beside  the  toilsome  way,  ( 

(      Lowly  and  sad,  by  fruits  and  flowers  unblest,  ( 

Which  my  worn  feet  tread  sadly,  day  by  day,  ^ 
Longing  in  vain  for  rest, 


i! 


)  An  angel  softly  walks, 

)     With  pale,  sweet  face,  and  eyes  cast  meekly 


stalks, 


)  down; 

The  while,  from  withered  leaves  and  flowerless 


She  weaves  my  fitting  crown.  (I 

) 


M 


S 


BE    YE    PATIENT. 

| 

^  A  sweet  and  patient  grace, 

A  look  of  firm  endurance,  true  and  tried, 
Of  suffering  meekly  borne,  rests  on  her  face, 
So  pure,  —  so  glorified. 


And  when  my  fainting  heart 
)      Desponds  and  murmurs  at  its  adverse  fate, 
Then  quietly  the  angel's  bright  lips  part, 
Murmuring  softly,  —  "Wait." 


c<  Patience,"  she  sweetly  saith ; 


<; 

(  "  The  Father's  mercies  never  come  too  late ; 

(  Gird  thee  with  patient  strength  and  trusting  faith, 
(  And  firm  endurance,  —  wait!" 

Angel !  behold,  I  wait,  — 

)  hours, 

)  Wait  till  thy  hand  shall  ope  the  eternal  gate, 


Wearing    the    thorny   crown   through    all    life's 


And  change  the  thorns  to  flowers. 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


I 


"For  them  that  honor  me  I  will  honor."  — 1  Sam.  ii.  30. 

P.  "  What  shall  I  do,  lest  life  in  silence  pass  ?  " 
T.  "  And  if  it  do, 
And  never  prompt  the  bray  of  noisy  brass, 

What  need'st  thou  rue  ? 
Remember  aye  the  ocean  drops  are  mute, 

The  shallows  roar. 
Worth  is  the  ocean,  —  fame  is  but  the  bruit 
Along  the  shore." 


P.  "What  shall  I  do  to  be  for  ever  known?" 

T.  "Thy  duty  ever." 
P.  "  This  did  full  many  who  yet  sleep  unknown." 
T.  "  Oh,  never,  never  ! 
Think'st  thou,  perchance,  that  they  remain 
unknown 
Whom  tlwu  know'st  not? 
By  angel   trumps  in  heaven  their  praise  is 
blown ; 
Divine  their  lot." 

[Arthur  dough.] 


«; 


INVOCATION. 


a- 


Xavocatikra. 


44  Let  my  supplication  come  before  thee  :  deliver  me  according  to 
thy  word."  —  Psalm  cxix.  170. 

Father,  I  have  wandered  far, 
Oh,  be  now  my  guiding  star! 


(  Draw  my  footsteps  back  to  thee, 

(  Set  my  struggling  spirit  free  ; 

Save  me  from  the  doubts  that  roll 

)  O'er  the  chaos  of  my  soul,  — 

)  Let  one  ray  of  truth  illume 

( 

.) 


And  dispel  the  thick'ning  gloom! 
God  of  truth,  and  peace,  and  love, 

Hear  my  prayer! 
Drive  my  restless  thoughts  above, — 

Keep  them  there  ! 

«! 


Father,  save  me  at  this  hour, 

From  the  tempter's  fearful  power, — 

Purify  the  hidden  springs 

Of  my  wild  imaginings. 

I  have  thought  till  thought  is  pain, 

Searched  for  peace  till  search  is  vain ; 


Out  of  thee  I  cannot  find 

)  Rest  for  the  immortal  mind. 

) 

39 


~J& 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


Now  I  come  to  thee  for  aid, — 
Peace  restore  ! 
/  Let  my  soul  on  thee  be  stayed 

)  For  evermore!  J 

^  [Churchman.]       ( 

{  •  Beyond  the  River.  <! 

"And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes  ;  and  there  ) 
shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  ( 
there  be  any  more  pain."— Kev.  xxi.  4. 


.! 


There  is  a  river  deep  and  wide 
(T  And  while  along  its  banks  we  stray,  X 

(  We  see  our  loved  ones  o'er  its  tide  ? 

)  Sail  from  our  sight  away,  away.  ) 

)         Where  are  they  sped  ?     They  will  return  ) 

No  more  to  glad  our  longing  eyes ; 
They've  passed  from  life's  contracted  bourne 

Beyond  the  river.  ( 

'Tis  hid  from  view;  but  we  may  guess  ( 

How  beautiful  that  realm  must  be;  ) 

For  gleamings  of  its  loveliness  ) 

\     u       In  visions  granted  oft  we  see.  ) 

M  40 


m^ 


BEYOND    THE    RIVER. 


I 

i 

The  very  clouds  that  o'er  it  throw  ( 

Their  veil  upraised  for  mortal  sight,  ( 

With  gold  and  purple  tintings  glow, 
Reflecting  from  the  glorious  light 
Beyond  the  river. 


They've  crossed  Time's  river ;  now  no  more 
They  heed  the  bubbles  on  its  breast, 


And  gentle  airs,  so  sweet,  so  calm,  ^ 

Steal  sometimes  from  that  viewless  sphere,       ( 
The  mourner  feels  their  breath  of  balm, 

And  soothed  sorrow  dries  the  tear ; 
And  some  time  list'ning  ear  may  gain  ) 

Entrancing  sound  that  hither  floats, 
The  echo  of  a  distant  strain 

Of  harps  and  voices'  blended  notes 
Beyond  the  river.    . 


I 
( 

There  are  our  loved  ones  in  their  rest;  ( 

( 
) 

Nor  feel  the  storms  that  sweep  its  shore  ) 


But  there  pure  love  can  live  and  last, — 
They  look  for  us  their  home  to  share ; 

When  we,  in  turn,  away  have  passed, 

What  joyful  greetings  wait  us  there,  ( 

Beyond  the  river.  ) 


41 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


Ephesians  vi.  10. 


"  Be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  the  power  of  his 

might," 
He   leads   through   the    deserts,   still    guiding      ( 

aright;  ( 

Complain  not,  though  weeds   o'er  thy  wilder-      ) 

ness  spread,  ) 

And   dark  mav  the  cloud  be  that  hangs  o'er       ) 

thy  head.  ) 

Remember  the  word  to  the  faithful  of  old ; 
"  I  will  help,  I  will  strengthen,  yea,  I  will  uphold  ;     ( 
The   right  hand  of  my  righteousness,  that  is      ( 
thy  stay; 
)         My  love  is  thy  polestar,  by  night  and  by  day. 

)      V  I  chose  thee  before   earth's  foundations  were       ) 
laid ;  j 

An  infant,  a  sufferer  for  thee  I  was  made; 
I  hung  on  a  cross,  and  I  lay  in  a  grave, 
The  souls  of  my  chosen  to  bless  and  to  save.      ( 


._-_«-_-_-_-_-_-_-- jjl 


"  BE    STRONG     IN    THE    LORD.' 


m 


lose 


1  I'll   lead  thee  through   life  by  a  way  yet  un-     ( 

known,  ( 

And   seat   thee,  at    last,  by  my   side    on   my     ? 

throne,  — 
I'm  ready  to  give  thee  a  welcome,  —  and  thou, 
My  trembler,  what  say'st  thou  ?     Answer  me 
now." 


<;  < 

I  Oh,  what  is  my  answer?     I  lie  at  thy  feet,        ( 

I  cling  to  thy  promise,  thy  words  I  repeat; 
Convinced  of  my  sin,  self-accused,  self-abhorred, 

)  Yet  never  despairing,  for  thou  art  my  Lord.       ) 


The  Lord  will  conduct  by  a  way  yet  unknown, 
And  seat  me,  at  last,  by  his  side,  on  his  throne  ;     ( 
The  Lord  hath  redeemed,  and  he  never  will     ( 


(  lose  ( 

The   souls  that  he   died   thus  to  pardon  and     ) 
)  choose.  ) 

Safe,  safe  to  eternity !  waiting  awhile, 
Upheld  by  thy  power,  and  refreshed  by  thy 

(  smile, 

(  Each  moment  the  nearer  to  home  in  the  skies, 

Each  moment  the  louder  let  praises  arise. 

.! 


43 


J 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


«ltf    T^O    ft*5TTI  ** 


"  For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for 
us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory."— 2  Cor.  iv.  17. 


Pain's  furnace  heat  within  me  quivers, 
God's  breath  upon  the  flame  doth  blow, 

And  all  my  heart  in  anguish  shivers, 
And  trembles  at  the  fiery  glow: 

And  yet  I  whisper,  "As  God  will!" 

And  in  its  hottest  fire  hold  still. 

He  comes  and  lays  my  heart,  all  heated, 
On  the  hard  anvil,  minded  so 

Into  his  own  fair  shape  to  beat  it 

With  his  great  hammer,  blow  on  blow  ; 

And  yet  I  whisper,  " As  God  will ! " 

And  at  his  heaviest  blows  hold  still. 

He  takes  my  softened  heart  and  beats  it; 

The  sparks  fly  off  at  every  blow ; 
He  turns  it  o'er  and  o'er,  and  heats  it, 

And  lets  it  cool  and  makes  it  glow; 
And  yet  I  whisper,  "As  God  will!" 
And  in  his  mighty  hand  hold  still. 


44 


1  I     HOLD    STILL." 


Why  should  I  murmur?  for  the  sorrow 
Thus  only  longer  lived  would   be ; 

Its  end  may  come,  and  will  to-morrow, 
When  God  has  done  his  work  in  me: 

So  I  say,  trusting,  "As  God  will!" 

And  trusting  to  the  end,  hold  still. 

He  kindles  for  my  profit,  purely, 
Affliction's  glowing,  fiery  brand, 

And  all  his  heaviest  blows  are  surely 
Inflicted  by  a  master  hand ; 

So  I  say,  praying,  "As  God  will!" 

And  hope  in  him,  and  suffer  still. 

[From  the  German  of  Sturm.] 


45 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 


"  For  this  corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption,  and  this  mortal 
must  put  on  immortality."— 1  Cor.  xv.  53. 

My  God,  I  know  that  I  must  die; 
My  mortal  life  is  passing  hence; 


On  earth  I  neither  hope  nor  try 

To  find  a  lasting  residence. 
Then  teach  me,  by  thy  heavenly  grace,  ( 

With  joy  and  peace  my  death  to  face.  ( 

My  God,  I  know  not  when  I  die, —  i 

What  is  the  moment  or  the  hour, —  ) 

How  soon  the  clay  may  broken  lie,  ) 

How  quickly  pass  away  the  flower; 

Then  may  thy  child  prepared  be 

Through  time  to  meet  eternity.  ( 

My  God,  I  know  not  how  I  die,  ( 

For  death  has  many  ways  to  come, —  ) 

In  dark,  mysterious  agony,  ) 

Or  gently  as  a  sleep  to  some ;  ) 

Just  as  thou  wilt,  if  but  it  be  \ 

For  ever,  blessed  Lord,  with  thee.  ( 


H 


46 


^^^-V- 


MY    GOD,     I     KNOW    THAT     I    MUST    DIE. 


« : 


My  Qod,  I  know  not  icliere  I  die, — 

Where  is  my  grave,  beneath  what  strand  ; 

Yet,  from  its  gloom  I  do  rely 
To  be  delivered  by  thy  hand. 

Content,  I  take  what  spot  is  mine, 

Since  all  the  earth,  my  Lord,  is  thine ! 

My  gracious  God !  when  I  must  die, 
Oh,  bear  my  happy  soul  above, 

With  Christ,  my  Lord,  eternally 
To  share  thy  glory  and  thy  love ! 

Then  comes  it  right  and  well  to  me, 

When,  where,  and  how,  my  death  shall  be. 


47 


w~- 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


( 

(' 

,; 

)     Dear  Lord,  this  world  which  thou  hast  wrought, 
)     And  with  thine  own  divineness  fraught, 
\  No  fullness  has  for  me : 


I  pine  within  this  fair  abode, 
(  Nor,  howe'er  glad  content  can  be, 


Though  from  it  to  my  heart  has  flowed 
)  A  beauty  like  the  sea. 


The  narrow  hopes  of  earthly  days, 
The  little  hum  of  human  praise, 
Leave  hunger  in  my  breast; 
(       Though  by  her  promise  oft  beguiled 


To  follow  in  an  eager  quest, 
Deceiving  Hope  a  moment  smiled, 
Then  left  me  void  of  rest. 

Beset  with  phantoms  side  by  side, 
Through  things  of  time  my  footsteps  glide, 
And  like  to  shadows  flee ; 


) 
( 

<; 

(      And  beauty  that  may  fill  the  soul 
(  Athirst  for  an  Infinity, 

Springs  not  where  circling  seasons  roll, 
)  But  lives  alone  in  Thee. 


SICK    AND     IN     PRISON. 


All!  then,  from  out  my  strivings  vain, 
Thou  home  of  rest,  thou  peace  from  pain, 

I  come  to  thee  alone : 
O  Fount  of  life,— O  Life  of  day,— 

O  Fullness  of  creation's  zone, — 
Lift  on  my  life  the  quick'ning  ray 

That  makes  me  born  thine  own. 

[Geo.  Leon  Walker.] 

_^e/2?9^ — 

8iek  aad  m  Prfsoou 

"  Make  haste,  O  God,  to  deliver  me  ;  make  haste  to  help  me,  O 
Lord."  —  Psalm  lxx.  1. 

Wildly  falls  the  night  around  me ; 
Chains  I  can  not  break  have  bound  me ; 
Spirits  unrebuked,  undriven 
From  before  me,  darken  heaven; 
Creeds  bewilder,  and  the  saying 
Unfelt  prayers,  makes  need  of  praying. 

In  this  bitter  anguish  lying, 

Only  thou  wilt  hear  my  crying, — 

Thou,  whose  hands  wash  white  the  erring, 

As  the  wool  is  at  the  shearing: 

Not  with  dulcimer  or  psalter, 

But  with  tears,  I  seek  thy  altar. 


49 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


(  Feet  that  trod  the  Mount  so  weary, 

(  Eyes  that  pitying  looked  on  Mary, 

Hands  that  brought  the  Father's  blessing, 
Heads  of  little  children  pressing, 
Voice  that  said,  "Behold  thy  brother," 
Lo!  I  seek  ye  and  none  other. 

Look,  O  gentlest  eyes  of  pity, 
Out  of  Zion,  glorious  city ; 
Speak,  O  voice  of  mercy,  sweetly ; 
Hide  me,  hands  of  love,  completely ; 
Sick,  in  prison,  lying  lonely, 
Ye  can  lift  me  up,  ye  only. 

In  my  hot  brow  soothe  the  aching, 
In  my  sad  heart  stay  the  breaking, 
On  my  lips  the  murmur  trembling, 
Change  to  praises  undissembling ; 
Make  me  wise  as  the  evangels, 
Clothe  me  with  the  wings  of  angels. 

Power  that  made  the  few  loaves  many, 
Power  that  blessed  the  wine  at  Cana, 
Power  that  said  to  Lazarus,  "  Waken ! " 
Leave,  oh  leave  me  not  forsaken ! 
Sick  and  hungry,  and  in  prison, 
Save  me,  Crucified  and  Risen ! 

[Alice  Carey.] 
50 


~M 


y 


My  \STqpSl. 


'For  vc  are  laborers  together  with  God."  — 1  Cor.  iii.  9. 

I  have  a  work  to  do, 
A  work  I  may  not  shun ; 

One  patli  I  must  pursue 
Until  my  life  be  done. 

What  others  do  I  need  not  ask ; 

Enough  for  me,  I  know  my  task. 

'Tis  not  to  seek  for  wealth; 

I  covet  no  man's  store ; 
I  thank  my  God  for  health  ; 

I  ask  for  nothing  more  ; 
My  daily  wants  are  soon  supplied, 
Or  what  I  do  not  need,  denied. 

Let  others  seek  for  fame, 

The  homage  of  an  hour, 
I  care  not  for  a  name, 

For  glory  or  for  power. 
The  race  I  leave  to  others  free, 
Such  transient  bliss  is  not  for  me. 


51 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


I 

Pleasure,  that  syren  fair,  ( 

Has  lost  her  power  to  harm; 
Her  joys  are  empty  air, 


1) 
( 
) 

I  own  no  more  their  charm:  ) 

7  ( 

For  other  accents  seem  to  say,  ,| 

1  Stay  not,  but  work  while  yet  'tis  day." 

To  wipe  the  trembling  tear  ( 

(  From  the  pale  mourner's  eye,  r 

)  To  soothe  the  anxious  fear,  ) 

)  Or  hush  the  rising  sigh ; 

)  This  is  a  bliss  for  which  I  live, 


A  joy  that  wealth  can  never  give. 


( 

(' 

(  To  strive  against  the  wrong, 

)  Which  takes  the  name  of  right, —  ) 

)  To  battle  with  the  strong,  .  ) 


)  And  conquer  in  the  fight, 


Brings  truer  happiness  than  could 

The  warior's  wreath,  if  bathed  in  blood. 


/  Work,  then,  from  day  to  day,  / 

Nor  pause  for  praise  or  blame; 
Care  not  for  what  men  say, 

Duty  is  still  the  same : 
The  rest  which  all  at  times  would  crave, 
(I  To  none  is  distant,  —  in  the  grave. 

[Knickerbocker.] 


52 


M 


WAKE,    THOU    THAT    SLEEPEST. 


II 


ITalie, 


Ephesiaxs  v.  14. 


Wake,  thou  that  sleepest  in  enchanted  bowers, 
Lest  these  lost  years  should  haunt  thee  in  the 
night, 

When  death  is  waiting  for  thy  numbered  hours 
To  take  their  swift  and  everlasting  flight! 

Wake !  ere  the  earth-born  charm  unnerves  thee 
quite, 
And  be  thy  thoughts  to  work  divine  addressed. 

Do  something,  —  do  it  soon,  with  all  thy  might ! 
'Tis  infamy  to  die  and  not  be  missed, 
Or  let  all  soon  forget  that  thou  did'st  e'er  exist. 

Some  high  or  humble  enterprise  of  good 
Contemplate  till  it  shall  possess  thy  mind, 

Become  thy  study,  pastime,  rest,  and  food, 
And  kindle  in  thy  heart  a  flame  refined; 

Pray  Heaven  for  firmness  thy  whole  soul  to  bind 
To  this  thy  purpose,  —  to  begin,  pursue, 

With  thoughts  all  fixed,  and  feelings  purely  kind, 
Strength  to  complete  and  with  delight  review, 
And  grace  to  give  the  praise  where  all  is  ever 
due. 

[Wilcox.] 
^  53  4 


^— --—-  —  — -'■^R 

,<y»  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 

(J 

«' 

Low  Spirits.  (» 

\  "  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ?  and  why  art  thou  dis-         \ 

(         quieted  in  me  ?  hope  thou  in  God."  —  Psalm  xlii.  5. 

)  Fever  and  fret  and  aimless  stir, 

)  And  disappointed  strife,  \ 

^  All  chafing,  unsuccessful  things, 

(  Make  up  the  sum  of  life.  ( 

()  (; 

Love  adds  anxietv  to  toil.  ( 


And  yet  my  spirit  is  alone, 


Love  adds  anxiety  to  toil, 

And  sameness  doubles  cares,  ( 

While  one  unbroken  chain  of  work  ( 

The  flagging  temper  wears.  ) 

{  .  <; 

(  The  light  and  air  are  dulled  with  smoke  ;        ( 
)  The  streets  resound  with  noise ; 

)  And  the  soul  sinks  to  see  its  peers  ) 

\  Chasing  their  joyless  joys.  ) 

;,  _  } 

)  Voices  are  round  me,  smiles  are  near,  ) 

Kind  welcomes  to  be  had, 


^^v*.  j —  —j    ~r ~  — ~ — , 

(  Fretful,  outworn,  and  sad. 

& *- g 


J?J^=^=»c= 


LOW    SPIRITS. 


A  weary  actor,  I  would  fain 
Be  quit  of  my  long  part ; 

The  burden  of  unquiet  life 
Lies  heavy  on  my  heart. 


Sweet  thought  of  God,  now  do  thy  work, 

As  thou  hast  done  before; 
Wake  up,  and  tears  will  wake  with  thee, 

And  the  dull  mood  be  o'er. 


The  very  thinking  of  the  thought, 
Without  or  praise  or  prayer, 

Gives  light  to  know,  and  life  to  do, 
And  marvelous  strength  to  bear. 


Oh,  there  is  music  in  that  thought, 

Unto  a  heart  unstrung, 
Like  sweet  bells  at  the  evening  time 

Most  musically  rung. 


'Tis  not  his  justice,  or  his  power, 

Beauty  or  blest  abode, 
But  the  mere  unexpanded  thought 

Of  the,  eternal  God. 


55 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


It  is  not  of  his  wondrous  works, 
(  Nor  even  that  he  is ; 

Words  fail  it,  but  it  is  a  thought 


) 
( 

)  Which  by  itself  is  bliss. 

,' 

(  Sweet  thought!  lie  closer  to  my  heart, 

)  That  I  may  feel  thee  near, 

)  As  one  who  for  his  weapon  feels                       ') 

)  In  some  nocturnal  fear.                                    X 

;  ( 

! 

)  Mostly  in  hours  of  gloom  thou  com'st,               ) 

)  When  sadness  makes  us  lowly,                       ) 

)  As  though  thQu  wert  the  echo  sweet                 ) 

(  Of  humble  melancholy. 

( 

)  I  bless  the  Lord  for  this  kind  check 

\  To  spirits  over  free,                                          'j 

(  And  for  all  things  that  make  me  feel              ( 

(  More  helpless  need  of  Thee.                          ( 

(  [Frederick  FaberJ       ^ 

!' 


66 


JESUS,    STILL     LEAD    ON. 


r 

p 

) 

;» 

jl  Jesus,  stxH  lead  <m. 

( 

)  "  For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress  ;  therefore  for  thy  name's 

(         sake  lead  me,  and  guide  me  I"  —  Psalm  xxxi.  3. 


Jesus  still  lead  on 

Till  our  rest  be  won: 

( 


And,  although  the  way  be  cheerless, 
We  will  follow,  calm  and  fearless. 


Guide  us  by  thy  hand 
To  our  fatherland. 


If  the  way  be  drear, 

If  the  foe  be  near, 
Let  not  faithless  fears  o'ertake  us, 
Let  not  faith  and  hope  forsake  us, 

For  through  many  a  foe 

To  our  home  we  go. 


When  we  seek  relief 
From  a  long-felt  grief, 
When  temptations  come  alluring, 
Make  us  patient  and  enduring; 
Show  us  that  bright  shore 
Where  we  weep  no  more! 
j 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


Jesus,  still  lead  on  ( 

Till  our  rest  be  won;  ) 

Heavenly  Leader,  still  direct  us,  ) 

Still  support,  console,  protect  us, 

Till  we  safely  stand 

In  our  fatherland. 

[Zinzcndorf.] 


— ->~e/$/d**>*~ 


<■ 
<■ 
«' 

{ 

Be  not  afraid  to  pray,  —  to  pray  is  right.  ) 

Pray,  if  thou  canst,  with  hope ;  but  ever  pray, 
Though  hope  be  weak,  or  sick  with  long  delay ; 

Pray  in  the  darkness,  if  there  be  no  light. 


"  I  will,   therefore,   that  men  pray  every  where,  lifting  up  holy 
hands,  without  wrath  and  doubting."  —  !  Tim.  ii.  8. 


( 

» 

<; 

Far  is  the  time,  remote  from  human  sight,  ( 

When  war  and  discord  on  the  earth  shall  cease ; "  / 

Yet  every  prayer  for  universal  peace 

Avails  the  blessed  time  to  expedite.  ) 

Whate'er  is  good  to  wish,  ask  that  of  Heaven,       ) 

Though  it  be  what  thou  canst  not  hope  to  see :      ^ 

Pray  to  be  perfect,  though  material  leaven  ( 

Forbid  the  spirit  so  on  earth  to  be;  ( 

But  if  for  any  wish  thou  darest  not  pray,  / 

Then  pray  to  God  to  cast  that  wish  away.  ) 

[Hartley  Coleridge.]         ) 
fr  58 


<$>) 


^ 


Gfix-Mkxi  Duty. 


"  To  them  who  hy  patient  continuance  in  well  doing  seek  for 
glory  and  honor  and  immortality,  eternal  life." — Komaxs  ii.  7. 


To  be  the  thing  we  seem; 
To  do  the  thing  we  deem 

Enjoined  by  duty ; 
To  walk  in  faith,  nor  dream 
Of  questioning  God's  scheme 

Of  truth  and  beauty ; 

Casting  self-love  aside, 
Discarding  human  pride, 

Our  hearts  to  measure : 
In  humble  hope  to  bide 
Each  change  in  fortune's  tide, 

At  God's  good  pleasure ; 

To  trust,  although  deceived ; 
Tell  truth,  though  not  believed; 

Falsehood  disdaining : 
Patient  of  ills  received, 
To  pardon  when  aggrieved, 

Passion  restraining ; 


59 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE.  <&i 


<> 


With  love  no  wrongs  can  chill, 
To  save,  unwearied  still, 
The  weak  from  falling : 


)  This  is  to  do   God's  will 

On  earth,  and  to  fulfill 


— *^e^9^— 


j  Our  heavenly  calling. 

(  [Horse  Poeticse.] 

(> 

,' 

,' 

i  fmf%v  tw  Mercy. 

.'  "He  hath  sent  me  to  heal  the  hroken-hearted,  to  preach  deliver- 

v  ance  to  the  captives,  and  recovering  of  sight  to  the  blind,  to  set  at 

(  liberty  them  that  are  bruised."  —  Luke  iv.  18. 

) 


O  Saviour,  pity  all  who  weep, 


D  And,  weeping,  seek  thy  feet; 

)  Thou  givest  thy  beloved  sleep, — 

^  Oh,  make  it  calm  and  sweet. 


)  Have  mercy  upon  all  who  faint 

Along  their  upward  way, 
Sore  troubled  by  the  lingering  taint 
Of  Adam's  sinful  clay. 


CO 


,W  PRAYER     FOR     MERCY. 

)  

( 
) 
( 

iHave  mercy  upon  all  who  strive 
In  fear,  for  daily  bread, 
The  poor  man's  drooping  strength  revive, 
\  At  thine  own  table  fed. 

)  Have  mercy  upon  all  who  part, — 
)  Love  mourneth  sore  alone, — 

(  Heal  tenderly  each  breaking  heart, 
(  And  bind  it  to  thine  own. 

,' 

) 

K  Have  mercy  upon  all  who  err, 

They  need  it  more  than  all; 
(  Lead  home  each  hapless  wanderer, 

(  And  raise  up  those  that  fall.  ( 

,;  «; 

The  deaf,  the  blind,  the  lepers  heard  ( 

Of  old  thy  piercing  voice  ;  ( 

r  Speak  to  our  souls  that  quickening  word,  ? 

Arise  !    Be  clean !    Kejoice  ! 

) 
( 

<' 

) 
( 

.' 


61 


M, 


Ji 


m 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE.                             &>\ 
( 

(' 

) 
( 

<; 

From  my  lips  in  their  defilement 

From  my  heart  in  its  beguilement, 

From  my  tongue,  which  speaks  not  fair, 

From  my  soul,  stained  every  where, — 

O  my  Jesus,  take  my  prayer! 

Spurn  me  not,  for  all  it  says, — 

Not  for  words  and  not  for  ways, 

Not  for  shamelessness  endued! 

Make  me  brave  to  speak  my  mood,  /' 

0  my  Jesus,  as  I  would,  ) 
Or  teach  me  (which  I  rather  seek),  ) 
What  to  do  and  what  to  speak.  j 

1  have  sinned  more  than  she  ( 
Who,  learning  where  to  meet  with  thee,         ( 

And  bringing  myrrh,  the  highest  priced,  ( 

Anointed  bravely,  from  her  knee  / 

Thy  blessed  feet  accordingly.  ) 

My  God,  my  Lord,  my  Christ,  ) 


From  the  Greek,  by  E.  B.  Browning. 


As*thou  saidest  not,  "  Depart," 
To  that  suppliant  from  her  heart, 
Scorn  me  not,  O  Word,  that  art 


62 


M 


i^3  CONSECRATION.  ^K 


The  gentlest  one  of  all  words  said  ! 
But  give  thy  feet  to  me  instead, 
That  tenderly  I  may  them  kiss, 
And  clasp  them  close,  and  never  miss, 
With  over-dropping  tears,  as  free 
And  precious  as  that  myrrh  could  be, 
T'  anoint  them  bravely  from  my  knee  ! 
Wash  me  with  thy  tears  !  draw  nigh  me, 
That  their  salt  may  purify  me ! 
Thou  remit  my  sins,  who  knowest 
All  the  sinning,  to  the  lowest, — 
Knowest  all  my  wounds,  and  seest 
All  the  stripes  thyself  decreest ; 
Yea,  but  knowest  all  my  faith, — 
Seest  all  my  force  to  death, — 
Hearest  all  my  wailings  low 
That  mine  evil  should'  be  so. 

Nothing  hidden  but  appears 
In  thy  knowledge,  O  Divine, 
O  Creator,  Saviour  mine ! 

Not  a  drop  of  falling  tears, 
Not  a  breath  of  inward  moan, 
Not  a  heart-beat  which  is  gone. 

[St.  Joannes  Damasccnus.] 


fi3 


m 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


'Tis  first  the  true,  and  then  the  beautiful ; 

Not  first  the  beautiful,  and  then  the  true  ; 
First  the  wild  moor,  with  rock  and  reed  and  pool, 
!j  Then  the  gay  garden,  rich  in  scent  and  hue. 


) 
( 
) 

)     Not  first  the  glad,  and  then  the  sorrowful ; 

But  first  the  sorrowful,  and  then  the  glad : 
(j*     Tears  for  a  day,  for  earth  of  tears  is  full ; 

Then  we  forget  that  we  were  ever  sad. 

') 
( 

(      Not  first  the  bright,  and  after  that  the  dark, 

But  first  the  dark,  and  after  that  the  bright ; 

First  the  thick  cloud,  and  then  the  rainbow's  arc, 

First  the  dark  grv  e,  then  resurrection  light. 


)     'Tis  first  the  night, — stern  night  of  storm  and  war, 

Long  night  of  heavy  clouds  and  veiled  skies ; 
(       Then  the  fair  sparkle  of  the  Morning  Star, 
(  That  bids  the  saint  awake,  and  day  arise. 

( 
) 

L 


64 


M 


MXIQQ. 


"  Blessed  be  God,  who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation,  that 
we  may  be  able  to  comfort  them  which  are  in  any  trouble,  by  the 
comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves  are  comforted  of  God."— 2  Cou.  i.  3,  4. 


We  must  feel  ere  we  can  pity ; 

We  must  long  before  we  pray; 
We  must  know  the  need  of  comfort 

Ere  we  cheer  another's  way. 

Art  thou,  then,  the  only  mourner  ? 

Throbs  no  breaking  heart  but  thine  ? 
Does  the  earth's  green  surface  never 

Hide  a  deep  and  wealthy  mine  ? 

Know  we  not  what  wondrous  structures 
Grow  beneath  the  rolling  seas? 

Coral  reefs  in  hidden  natures 
Rise  as  silently  as  these. 

May  be  that  thy  strength  of  purpose 
Might  uplift  some  sinking  heart ; 

And  the  ray  to  thee  returning, 
A  refracted  light  impart. 


65 


A%  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE.  £<X 

D - 


For  'tis  strange  we  should  have  power 

Oft  to  give  another  peace, 
While  we  vainly  bid  the  anguish 
)  Of  our  own  vexed  spirit  cease. 

<\ 

)  — ^e/^/d^r 


l.stlaa  Trust. 


"  All  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God."—  Rom. 
viii.  28. 


Oh,  what  a  load  of  struggle  and  distress 
(      Falls  off  before  the  cross !     The  feverish  care ; 

The  wish  that  we  were  other  than  we  are ; 
)     The  sick  regrets  ;  the  yearnings  numberless ; 
)     The  thought,  "  This  might  have  been,"  so  apt  to 
press 
On  the  reluctant  soul;  even  past  despair, 
Past  sin  itself,  —  all,  all  is  turned  to  fair, 
Aye,  to  a  scheme  of  ordered  happiness, 
So  soon  as  we  love  God,  or  rather  know 
That  God  loves  us.     Accepting  the  great  pledge 
Of  his  concern  for  all  our  wants  and  woe, 
We  cease  to  tremble  upon  danger's  edge ; 
While  varying  troubles  form  and  break  anew, 
Safe  in  a  Father's  arms,  we  smile  as  infants  do. 

(  [Chauncey  Hare  Townshend.] 

k-_-.-_-----.~_6w-~.-.~.~~iif 


BIRTHDAY    THOUGHTS. 


ji  A  (Krf*s  TIiQitglits  on  to  Twia*   ,' 
tsctli  BMMay.  <J 

(  "  Wilt  thou  not  from  this  time  cry  unto  me,  My  Father,  thou  art        ( 

)       the  guide  of  my  youth  ? "  —  Jek.  iii.  4. 
( 

)  Girlhood's  sunny  days  are  over 

'L  With  today; 

They,  with  all  their  wayward  brightness,  ( 

(  Pass  away;  ( 

Woman's  earnest  path  before  me  ,        ? 

Lieth  straight :  ) 

)  Who  can  tell  what  grief  and  anguish  ) 

)  There  await? 

If 

Guide  me,  Father,  God  of  mercy, 
)  On  the  way; 

)  Never  from  thy  holy  guidance 

)  Let  me  stray: 

Give  that  meed  of  iov  or  sorrow 

Please th  thee,  ( 

Whatsoe'er  thy  will  ordaineth  ( 

)  Best  for  me.  ) 

) 


> 


m 


m 


< 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


Day  by  day; 


There  to  be  more  fully,  truly, 
(  Thine  alone. 


68 


In  the  shadow  and  the  darkness  ( 

Be  my  star;  ( 

In  the  light,  lest  radiance  dazzle,  ) 

)  Go  not  far;  ) 

)  Make  me  patient,  kind,  and  gentle,  ) 


) 


Teach  me  how  to  live  more  nearly  ( 


.; 

(  As  I  pray.  ( 

(  That  my  heart  so  much  desireth 

(  Grant  me  still,  ( 

If  the  earnest  hope  accordeth  ) 

|  With  thy  will; 


D 
)  Should  thy  mercy  quite  withhold  it,  ) 

Be  thou  near  ;  ^ 

Let  me  feel  I  hold  its  promise 
f  All  too  dear. 

i! 


i1 

<; 

Here,  upon  life's  very  threshold, 

Take  my  heart ;  ( 

?  .From  thy  holy  guidance  let  it  ) 

)  Ne'er  depart ; 

)  When  life's  stormy  strife  is  over,  .| 

') 
( 

i 


Take  me  home, 


M 


LONGINGS    FOR    HEAVEN. 


Longings 


"  And  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come  to  Zion 
with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads  :  they  shall  obtain 
joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away."— Isaiah 
xxxv.  10. 

Holy  Zion !  land  supernal, 

Sacred  palace  of  our  King, 
Where  the  saints  will  reign  eternal, — 

Sweet  it  is  of  thee  to  sing  ! 


All  is  joy  and  bliss  within  thee ; 

Songs  of  triumph  ceaseless  rise ; 
There's  no  grief 'for  those  that  win  thee, 

Sadness,  pining,  tears  nor  sighs. 

All  earth's  storms  for  them  subsiding, — 
They  have  reached  the  port  of  rest ; 

In  their  Saviour's  love  abiding, 
With  his  peace  for  ever  blest. 

With  his  glory  he  surrounds  them, 
While  like  him  I  see  them  shine ; 

With  unfading  crowns  he's  crowned  them, 
And  their  vestments  are  divine. 


69 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


Turn  from  him  their  souls  will  never, —  ( 

All  submissive  to  his  love; 
Sin  has  lost  its  power  for  ever, 

Where  his  praise  is  sung  above.  ) 

!; 

O  my  Lord,  who  by  thy  passion,  ) 

On  these  heav'ns  hast  set  my  eyes, —  ) 

Thou  hast  clothed  me  with  salvation: 
For  this  rest  my  spirit  sighs. 


— •** *&&&* — 


( 

«; 

[J.  E.  Rankin.]  ( 
) 
( 

( 

1  Stand,  therefore,  having  your  loins  girt  about  with  truth,  and        v 
having  on  the  breastplate  of  righteousness."— Era.  vi.  14.  ) 

) 
( 
) 


My  soul,  be  strong!  confront  thy  life, 

Nor  feebly  moan  with  weak  complaint;  ( 

Arouse  to  wage  the  mortal  strife,  ( 

( 

) 
( 


Thou  shrinking  coward,  pale  and  faint! 

Look  up  at  Truth's  unchanging  face ; 

That  brow,  though  stern,  is  yet  serene; 
And  sometimes,  for  the  heart  of  grace,  ) 

On  those  white  lips  a  smile  hath  been.  ) 


VI     ET    ARMIS. 


It  will  not  serve  thee  to  delay; 

Shall  the  rude  ocean  cease  to  roar, 
Because  thy  wild  and  dangerous  way 

Lies  to  its  dimly  visioned  shore  ? 

The  warrior  on  the  tented  field 

Lingers  no  more  to  look  behind,        # 

But  raises  high  his  bossy  shield, 
And  casts  his  banner  to  the  wind. 

Shake  off  thy  dreams  !     Let  faith  and  prayer 
Light  the  drear  way,  —  the  path  is  straight ; 

Contagion  fills  the  misty  air,  ( 

And  clustering  snares  around  thee  wait.  r 

<' 

Hope  not  for  succor  from  below,  ( 

Stars  shine  from  heaven,  and  shine  at  night ;     ) 

Be  stout  of  heart ;  come  weal  or  woe, 
Forward!  and  God  defend  the  right! 

[A.  W.  II.] 


iu. 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


( 

<> 

) 

I1  JesiSs,  lead  Ilk©  way.  { 

I  M  Let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  eet  before  us,  looking      ' » 

/         unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith."  —  Heb.  xii.  1,  2.  ( 

Jesus,  lead  the  way,  ) 

So  we  shall  not  stray  ^ 

From  the  path,  while  here  abiding,  ( 

|  But  shall  follow  thy  safe  guiding:  ( 

(  Lead  us  by  the  hand  r 

)  To  the  fatherland. 

«; 

,)  Should  we  fare  but  hard,  ? 

)  Stand  we  fast  on  guard ;  l 

)  Though  the  days  be  very  dreary, 


Never  of  our  burdens  weary; 


,! 


«' 


\  JLNever  ui   uur    uuruciis    weary  ^ 

(  For  through  trouble's  sea  < 

(  Lies  our  road  to  thee.  ( 

«; 

(f  Should  some  secret  smart 

Vex  and  wound  the  heart,  ( 

Or  another's  woe  and  weakness, —  < 

Grant  us  patience,  —  grant  us  meekness  ) 

I                      Lift  thou  up  our  mind  ) 

)                     To  the  end  designed.  > 

i 

u 


J 


»                                            SELF-CONDEMNATICN.                                            ^ 
( 

Lord,  thy  guidance  lend  ( 

Through  life  to  the  end;  ( 

Though  the  way  be  rough  and  trying, 
Be  thou  needful  help  supplying; 

And  when  all  is  o'er,  ) 

Open,  Lord,  the  door ! 

[From  the  German  of  Jesu  Gen  Voran.]       ( 

— ^e/22/3-v — 

( 

"  If  our  heart  condemn   us.  God  is  greater  than  our  heart,  and         ) 
kncweth  all  things."—  1  Jons  iii.  20.  ( 

Lord,  many  times  I  am  weary  quite  | 

Of  my  own  self,  my  sin  and  vanity ; 
Yet  be  not  thou,  or  I  am  lost  outright, 
Weary  of  me. 


<' 


And  hate  against  myself  I  often  bear, 

And  enter  with  myself  in  fierce  debate;  — 
Take  thou  my  part  against  myself,  nor  share 
In  that  just  hate. 

Best  friends  might  loathe  us,  if  what  things  per- 
verse 
We  know  of  our  own  selves  they  also  knew;  — 
Lord,  Holy  One !  if  thou,  who  knowcst  worse, 
Shouldst  loathe  us  too ! 

[Trench.] 


(&»  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


The  Lord,  he  is  my  strength  and  stay; 

When  Sorrow's  cup  o'erflows  the  brim, 
It  sweetens  all,  if  I  can  say, 

It  is  from  him!  it  is  from  him! 

When,  humbly  laboring  for  my  Lord, 

Faint  grows  the  heart  and  weak  the  limb, 

What  strength  and  joy  are  in  the  word, 
It  is  for  him!  it  is  for  him! 

I  hope  for  ever  to  abide 

Amid  the  shining  seraphim, 
Delivered,  pardoned,  glorified;  — 

But  'tis  through  him!  it  is  through  him! 

Then  welcome  be  the  hour  of  death, 

When  Nature's  lamp  burns  low  and  dim, 

If  I  can  cry  with  dying  breath, 

I  go  to  him,  I  go  to  him  ! 

[A.  l.  o.  ej      ( 


74 


<&>  WOULD    YOU     BE    YOUNG    AGAIN  P  ^»[) 


I 

,' 
,» 
(' 

) 
( 

) 

(  "  Forgetting  those  things  which  are  behind,  and  reaching  forth 

.'       unto  those  things  which  are  before,  I  press  toward  the  mark  for  tho 

v       prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus."—  Phil.  iii.  13,  14. 

( 

«» 

<; 

(  One  tear  to  memory  given, 

/  Onward  I'd  hie. 

)  Life's  dark  flood  forded  o'er, 

( 

)  All  but  at  rest  on  shore, 


Would  j©n  bo  young  agatal 


Would  you  be  young  again? 
So  would  not  I, — 


I 

) 
(  With  home  so  nigh? 

i 
) 

) 

)  Retrace  your  way, — 


Say,  would  you  plunge  once  more, 


If  you  might,  would  you  now 


Wander  through  stormy  wilds, 

Faint  and  astray? 
Night's  gloomy  watches  fled, 
Morning  all  beaming  red, 
(  Hope's  smiles  around  us  shed, 

, )  Heavenward,  —  away. 

) 

L 

75 


M 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


Where,  then,  are  those  dear  ones, 
Our  joy  and  delight  ?  — 

Dear  and  more  dear,  though  now 
Hidden  from  sight. 

Where  they  rejoice  to  be, 

There  is  the  land  for  me; 

Fly,  time,  fly  speedily, — 
Come,  life  and  light. 

'•—~*-£/&/dr* 


1  They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy."  —  Psalm  cxxvi.  5. 

Sow  with  a  generous  hand ; 

Pause  not  for  toil  or  pain ; 
Weary  not  through  the  heat  of  summer, 

Weary  not  through  the  cold  spring  rain ; 
But  wait  till  the  autumn  comes, 

For  the  sheaves  of  golden  grain.  ) 


11=^ 


Scatter  the  seed,  and  fear  not, 

A  table  will  be  spread; 
What  matter  if  you  are  too  weary 

To  eat  your  hard-earned  bread :  ( 

Sow  while  the  earth  is  broken,  ^ 

For  the  hungry  must  be  fed.  ) 


4^  SOWING    AND    REAPING. 


Sow  while  the  seeds  are  lying 
(  In  the  warm  earth's  bosom  deep  ; 

And  your  warm  tears  fall  upon  it, — 

They  will  stir  in  their  quiet  sleep,  ) 

)  And  the  green  blades  rise  the  quicker, 

j  Perchance,  for  the  tears  you  weep. 


,' 


Then  sow,  —  for  the  hours  are  fleeting, 

And  the  seed  must  fall  to-day,  ( 

(  And  care  not  what  hands  shall  reap  it,  ( 

Or  if  you  shall  have  passed  away  ) 

)  Before  the  waving  cornfields  ) 

( 
)  Shall  gladden  the  sunny  day. 

) 
( 
) 
I 


,' 


Sow,  and  look  onward,  upward, 
Where  the  starry  light  appears, 


(  Where,  in  spite  of  the  coward's  doubting,  ( 

(                   Or  your  own  hearts'  trembling  fears,  ( 

)  You  shall  reap  in  joy  the  harvest  ) 

)                You  have  sown  to-day  in  tears.  ) 

) 


\ 

\ 

i 


J, 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE.  & 


My  soul,  there  is  a  countrie, 


(  Afar  beyond  the  stars, 

(  Where  stands  a  winged  sentrie 

(  All  skillful  in  the  wars. 

(» 

[)  There,  above  noise  and  danger, 

)  Sweet  peace  sits  crowned  with  smiles, 

And  One  born  in  a  manger 
(  Commands  the  beauteous  files. 

)  He  is  thy  gracious  friend, 


And    (O  my  soul,  awake !) 
Did  in  pure  love  descend, 


(  To  die  here  for  thy  sake. 


If  thou  canst  get  but  thither, 


)  There  grows  the  flower  of  peace, — 

V  Tl^         -*.^r,^         +"U«4-         ,->«%■»-.         -n^4-         -r^r^l^^-^ 


The  rose  that  can  not  wither, 
Thy  fortresse  and  thy  ease. 


Leave,  then,  thy  foolish  ranges, 

For  none  can  thee  secure, 
But  one  who  never  changes, 

Thy  God,  thy  Life,  thy  Cure. 

[Ilenry  Vaughan.] 


w 


m 


) 
( 

,• 
,' 
.' 

) 

)  "Weary,  Lord,  of  struggling  here 

With  this  constant  doubt  and  fear, 
Burdened  by  the  pains  I  bear, 


"  Return  unto  thy  rest,  O  my  soul ;  for  the  Lord  hath  dealt  boun- 
tifully with  thee."  —  Psalm  cxvi.  7. 


And  the  trials  I  must  share, — 
Help  me,  Lord,  again  to  flee 
(  To  the  rest  that's  found  in  thee. 

I 
( 


Wakened  by  the  wayward  will 


"Which  controls,  yet  cheats  me  still, 
)  Seeking  something  undefined 

)  With  an  earnest,  darkened  mind, — 

Help  me,  Lord,  again  to  flee 
To  the  light  that  breaks  from  thee. 

,; 

Fettered  by  this  earthly  scope, 
In  the  reach  and  aim  of  hope, 
Fixing  thought  in  narrow  bound, 
Where  no  living  truth  is  found,  — 
Help  me,  Lord,  again  to  flee 
)  To  the  hope  that's  fixed  on  thee. 

L 


¥ 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


( 

Fettered,  burdened,  wearied,  weak,  ( 

Lord,  once  more  thy  grace  I  seek;  ( 

Turn,  oh,  turn  me  not  away!  ) 

Help  me,  Lord,  to  watch  and  pray, 
That  I  never  more  may  flee 
From  the  rest  that's  found  in  thee. 

[Protestant  Churchman.] 


«— -we^a^ 


) 
( 
) 

;> 

<; 

'  And  when  he  is  come,  he  will  reprove  the  world  of  sin,  and  of       ' 
righteousness,  and  of  judgment."— John  xvi.  8.  / 

<> 


k~^ 


The  world  is  wise,  for  the  world  is  old; 
Five  thousand  years  their  tale  have  told; 
Yet  the  world  is  not  happy,  as  the  world  might 

be,-  () 

Why  is  it?  why  is  it?     Oh,  answer  me!  ( 

(      The  world  is  kind  if  we  ask  not  too  much  ;  ( 

)     It  is  sweet  to  the  taste,  and  smooth  to  the  touch  ;  ) 

)     Yet  the  world  is  not  happy,  as  the  world  might  ) 

be,—  ) 

Why  is  it  ?  why  is  it  ?     Oh,  answer  me  !  ) 


THE    WORLD. 


The  world  is  strong,  with  an  awful  strength, 
(       And  full  of  life  in  its  breadth  and  length  ; 

Yet  the  world  is  not  happy,  as  the  world  might 
{  be,- 

)     Why  is  it  ?  why  is  it  ?     Oh,  answer  me ! 

If 


The  world  is  so  beautiful  one  may  fear 
Its  borrowed  beauty  might  make  it  too  dear; 
Yet  the  world  is  not  happy,  as  the  world  might 
be,  — 
)     Why  is  it  ?  why  is  it  ?     Oh,  answer  me ! 

<; 

(      The  world  is  good  in  its  own  poor  way, 

(      There  is  rest  by  night  and  high  spirits  by  day ; 

(      Yet  the  world  is  not  happy,  as  the  world  might 

('        .be.~ 

Why  is  it  ?  why  is  it  ?     Oh,  answer  me  ! 

,; 

(  The  Cross  shines  fair,  and  the  church-bell  rings, 

(  And  the  earth  is  peopled  with  holy  things; 

(  Yet  the  world  is  not  happy,  as  the  world  might 
ji  be,— 

^  Why  is  it  ?  why  is  it  ?     Oh,  answer  me  ! 

) 


81 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


> 


What  lackest  thou,  world?  for  God  made  thee  ( 
of  old;  (} 

Why, —  thy  faith  hath  gone  out,  and  thy  love  ( 
grown  cold ; 

Thou  art  not  happy,  as  thou  mightest  be, 

For  the  want  of  Christ's  simplicity. 


It  is  love  that  thou  lackest,  thou  poor  old  world ! 
Who  shall  make  thy  love  hot  for  thee,  frozen  old 

world  ? 
Thou  art  not  happy,  as  thou  mightest  be, 
For  the  love  of  dear  Jesus  is  little  in  thee. 


Poor  world !  if  thou  cravest  a  better  day, 
Remember  that  Christ  must  have  his  own  way ; 
I  mourn  thou  art  not  as  thou  mightest  be, 
But  the  love  of  God  would  do  all  for  thee. 

[Frederick  Faber.) 


82 


M 


!>' 


3r  humility.  wi1 

I 
( 

(' 
,; 

M  Humble  yourselves  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  lift       ^ 
you  up."  —  James  iv.  10.  / 


Whose  clothing  is  humility. 


In  deepest  adoration  bends ; 
The  weight  of  glory  bows  him  down, 


The  bird  that  soars  on  highest  wing 
Builds  on  the  ground  her  lowly  nest; 

And  she  that  doth  most  sweetly  sing 

Sings  in  the  shade,  where  all  things  rest ; 


In  lark  and  nightingale  we  see 
"What  honor  hath  humility. 


< 


When  Mary  chose  the  better  part, 

She  meekly  sat  at  Jesus'  feet; 
And  Lydia's  gently  opened  heart 

Was  made  for  God's  own  temple  meet. 

Fairest  and  best  adorned  is  she,  ( 


The  saint  that  wears  heaven's  brightest  crown,       ) 


Then  most  when  most  his  soul  ascends. 
Nearest  the  Throne  itself  must  be 
The  footstool  of  humility. 

[James  Montgomery.] 
83 


Mm  CIO. 


"  Out  of  the  depths  have  I  cried  unto  thee,  O  Lord.  Lord,  hear 
my  voice  ;  let  thine  ears  be  attentive  to  the  voice  of  my  supplica-  J 
tions.  If  thou,  Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniquities,  O  Lord,  who  shall 
stand  ?  But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  that  thou  mayest  be 
feared.  I  wait  for  the  Lord,  my  soul  doth  wait,  and  in  his  word  do 
I  hope.  My  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord  more  than  they  that  watch  ) 
for  the  morning  ;  I  say,  more  than  they  that  watch  for  the  morning. 
Let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord  :  for  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and 
with  him  is  plenteous  redemption.  And  he  shall  redeem  Israel  from 
all  his  iniquities." 


From  the  deeps  of  grief  and  fear, 

O  Lord,  to  thee  my  soul  repairs ;  ( 

From  thy  heaven  bow  down  thy  ear, 
Let  thy  mercy  meet  my  prayers; 
Oh,  if  thou  mark'st 

What's  done  amiss, 
What  soul  so  pure 
Can  see  thy  bliss? 


But  with  thee  sweet  Mercy  stands,  ( 

Sealing  pardons,  working  fear;  ) 

Wait,  my  soul,  wait  on  his  hands, — 

Wait,  mine  eye,  —  oh,  wait,  mine  ear! 

If  he  his  eye 

Or  tongue  affords, 
Watch  all  his  looks, 
Catch  all  his  words! 


84 


-j 


HUNDRED    AND    THIRTIETH     PSALM. 

As  a  watchman  waits  for  day, 

And  looks  for  light,  and  looks  again, 
When  the  night  grows  old  and  gray, 
To  be  relieved  he  calls  amain; 
So  look,  so  wait, 

So  long,  mine  eyes, 
To  see  my  Lord, 
My  sun,  arise. 

"Wait,  ye  saints,  wait  on  our  Lord, 

For  from  his  tongue  sweet  mercy  flows ; 
Wait  on  his  cross,  wait  on  his  word, — 
Upon  that  tree  redemption  grows; 
He  will  redeem 

His  Israel 
From  sin  and  wrath, 
From  death  and  hell. 

[Phineas  Fletcher.] 


85 


-..-v^^-w-vJ^SS 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 


n? 


"  But  it  shall  come    to  pass,   that  at  evening  time  it  shall  be 
light."— Zech.  xiv.  7. 


We  "will  not  weep,  for  God  is  standing  by  us, 
And  tears  will  blind  us  to  the  blessed  sight ; 

We  will  not  doubt,  if  darkness  still  doth  try  us ; 
Our  souls  have  promise  of  serenest  light. 

We  will  not  faint,  if  heavy  burdens  bind  us  ; 

They  press  no  harder  than  our  souls  can  bear ; 
The  thorniest  way  is  lying  still  behind  us  ; 

We  shall  be  braver  for  the  past  despair. 

Oh,  not  in  doubt  shall  be  our  journey's  ending ; 

Sin,  with  its  fears,  shall  leave  us  at  the  last ; 
All  its  best  hopes  in  glad  fulfilment  blending, 

Life  shall  be  with  us  when  the  death  is  past. 

Help  us,  O  Father !  when  the  world  is  pressing 
On  our  frail  hearts,  that  fail  without  their  friend. 

Help  us,  O  Father !  let  thy  constant  blessing 
Strengthen  our  weakness  till  the  joyful  end. 


86 


M 


THE    PILGRIM. 


The  Pilgrim. 


"And  confessed  that  they  were  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the 
earth."  —  Hkb&BWS  xi.  13. 


Still  onward  through  this  land  of  foes, 

I  pass  in  Pilgrim  guise  ; 
I  may  not  stop  to  seek  repose, 

Where  cool  the  shadow  lies ; 
I  may  not  stoop  amid  the  grass, 

To  pluck  earth's  fairest  flowers, 
Nor  by  her  springing  fountains  pass 

The  sultry  noontide  hours; 


Yet  flowers  I  wear  upon  my  breast, 

That  no  earth-garden  knows, — 
"White  lilies  of  immortal  peace, 

And  love's  deep-tinted  rose ; 
And  there  the  blue-eyed  flowers  of  faith, 

And  Hope's  bright  buds  of  gold, 
As  lone  I  tread  the  upward  path, 

In  richest  hues  unfold. 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


F 

(  I  keep  my  armor  ever  on, 
(  For  foes  beset  my  way; 

)  I  watch,  lest  passing  on  alone, 

)  I  fall  a  helpless  prey. 

)  No  earthly  love  have  I,  —  I  lean 

j  Upon  no  mortal  breast; 

(  But  my  Beloved,  though  unseen, 
Walks  near  and  gives  me  rest. 

(  Afar,  around,  I  often  see, 

(  Throughout  this  desert  wide, 

/  His  pilgrims,  pressing  on  like  me, — 

)  They  often  pass  my  side; 

)  The  kindly  smile,  the  gentle  word, 

j  For  Jesus'  sake  I  give ; 

(  But  love, —  O  thou  alone  adored! 
(  For  thee  alone  I  live. 

,; 

(  Painful  and  dark  the  pathway  seems, 

(  To  distant  earthly  eyes; 

r  They  only  see  the  hedging  thorns 

)  On  either  side  that  rise; 

)  They  can  not  know  how  soft  between, 

The  flowers  of  love  are  strown, — 
The  sunny  ways,  the  pastures  green, 
Where  Jesus  leads  his  own ; 


{ 


w~° 


THE     PILGRIM. 


( 

They  can  not  see,  as  darkening  clouds  ( 

Behind  the  pilgrim  close,  ( 

How  far  adown  the  western  glade  ) 

The  golden  glory  flows;  I 

They  can  not  hear  'mid  earthly  din 
The  song  to  pilgrims  known, 

Still  blending  with  the  angels'  hymn 


Around  the  wondrous  throne.  ( 

) 

lj 

So  I,  thy  bounteous  token-flowers  ( 

Still  on  my  bosom  wear ;  ( 

While  me,  the  floating  love-winged  hours 

To  thee  still  nearer  bear;  j 

So  from  my  lips  thy  song  shall  flow,  ) 

My  sweetest  music  be;  ) 

So  on  my  eyes  the  glory  grow, 

Till  all  is  lost  in  thee. 


89 


3. 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


"  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I  seek.  Hide  not  thy  face  far  from  me  ; 
put  not  thy  servant  away  in  auger ;  thou  hast  heen  my  help  ;  leave 
me  not,  neither  forsake  me,  O  God  of  my  salvation."  —  Psalm 
xxvii.  8,  9. 


Forsake  me  not,  my  God, 

Thou  God  of  my  salvation ! 
Give  me  thy  light  to  be 

My  sure  illumination. 
My  soul  to  folly  turns, 

Seeking  she  knows  not  what; 
Oh,  lead  her  to  thyself, — 

My  God,  forsake  me  not! 


Forsake  me  not,  my  God ! 

Take  not  thy  Spirit  from  me; 
And  suffer  not  the  might 

Of  sin  to  overcome  me. 
A  father  pitieth 

The  children  he  begot; 
My  Father,  pity  me; 

My  God,  forsake  me  not! 


90 


GOD'S    SUPPORT    AND    GUIDANCE. 


( 

Forsake  mc  not,  my  God  !  ( 

Thou  God  of  life  and  power,  *  ( 
Enliven,  strengthen  me, 


( 
In  every  evil  hour; 

And  when  the  sinful  fire 

Within  my  heart  is  hot, 

Be  not  thou  far  from  me; 

MTr  God,  forsake  me  not! 

) 
( 

Forsake  me  not,  my  God!  ( 

Uphold  me  in  my  going;  ( 

That  evermore  I  may  ,' 

Please  thee  in  all  well-doing; 
And  that  thy  will,  O  Lord,  ) 

May  never  "be  forgot 
In  all  my  works  and  ways, — 

My  God,  forsake  me  not! 

Forsake  me  not,  my  God ! 

I  would  be  thine  for  ever ; 
Confirm  me  mightily 

In  every  right  endeavor. 
And  when  my  hour  is  come, 

Cleansed  from  all  stain  and  spot 
Of  sin,  receive  my  soul ; 

My  God,  forsake  me  not ! 

[Translated  from  the  German.] 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


r 

D 

i  ( 


"  My  lips  shall  greatly  rejoice  when  I  sing  unto  thee;  and  my 
soul,  which  thou  hast  redeemed."  — Psalm  lxxi.  23. 


V 


J 


vearag  ©oaf.  (> 

<; 

Lord,  a  happy  child  of  thine,  ) 

Patient  through  the  love  of  thee,  ) 

In  the  light,  the  life  divine, 

Lives,  and  walks  at  liberty.  ( 

Leaning  on  thy  tender  care, 

Thou  hast  led  my  soul  aright  ( 

Fervent  was  my  morning  prayer,  ( 

Joyful  is  my  song  to-night.  ) 

,; 

O  my  Saviour,  Guardian  true,  ^ 

)                     All  my  life  is  thine  to  keep  ) 

)                 At  thy  feet  my  work  I  do,  ) 

)                     In  thy  arms  I  fall  asleep.  ) 

)                 Tender  mercies  on  my  way,  ) 

^                      Falling  softly  like  the  dew,  \ 
(                   Sent  me  freshly  every  day, 

(                      I  will  bless  the  Lord  for  you.  ( 

92  £$% 


EVENING    SONG. 


% 


% 


Though  I  have  not  all  I  would, 
Though  to  greater  bliss  I  go, 

Every  present  gift  of  good 
To  eternal  love  I  owe. 

Source  of  all  that  comforts  me, 
Well  of  joy  for  which  I  long, 

Let  the  song  I  sing  to  thee 
Be  an  everlasting  song. 


[Mrs.  Waring.] 


03 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


I  TU  Meal. 

)  "  And  he  shall  Bit  as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  6ilver."  —  Mal.  iii.  3. 


Tis  sweet  to  feel  that  he  who  tries 
The  silver,  takes  his  seat 


(  Beside  the  fire  that  purifies, 
)  Lest  too  intense  a  heat, 

)  Raised  to  consume  the  base  alloy, 

)  The  precious  metal,  too,  destroy. 


)  'Tis  good  to  think  how  well  he  knows 


The  silver's  power  to  bear 
The  ordeal  through  which  it  goes, 


(  And  that,  with  skill  and  care, 


He'll  take  it  from  the  fire  when  fit 
For  his  own  hand  to  polish  it. 


) 
( 

<; 

( 

(  'Tis  blessedness  to  know  that  he 

)  The  piece  he  has  begun 

Will  not  forsake,  till  he  can  see 

(To  prove  the  work  well  done,) 
An  image,  by  its  brightness  shown, 
The  perfect  likeness  of  his  own. 

tef  94 


THE    ORDEAL. 


But,  oh !  how  much  of  earthly  mould, 

Dark  relics  of  the  mine, 
Lost  from  the  ore,  must  he  behold; 

How  long  must  he  refine, 
Ere  in  the  silver  he  can  trace 
The  first  faint  semblance  to  his  face. 

Thou  great  Refiner,  sit  thou  by, 

Thy  purpose  to  fulfill ; 
Moved  by  thy  hand,  beneath  thine  eye, 

And  melted  at  thy  will, 
Oh,  may  thy  work  for  ever  shine, 
Reflecting  beauty  clear  as  thine  ! 


95 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


Let  him  sing  psalms,  the  Spirit  saith, 


)  Jesus  the  soul  of  music  is, — 

)  His  is  the  noblest  passion ;  j 

K  Jesus'  name  is  joy  and  peace,  ( 

(  Happiness  and   salvation;  ( 

(  Jesus'  name  the  dead  can  raise,  ( 

r  Show  us  our  sins  forgiven,  / 

)  Fill  us  with  all  the  life  of  grace,  ) 

)  Carry  us  up  to  heaven, 

)  Who  hath  a  right  like  us  to  sing, —  I) 

)  Us,  whom  his  mercy  raises?  ) 

K  Merry  our  hearts,  for  Christ  is  king,  ^ 

(  Cheerful  are  all  our  faces;  ( 

(  Who  of  his  love  doth  once  partake,  j 

/  He  evermore  rejoices;  / 

)  Melody  in  our  hearts  we  make,  ) 

)  Melody  with  our  voices.  ) 

)  He  that  a  sprinkled  conscience  hath,  ) 

)  He  that  in  God  is  merry, 

( 


v  iJCl      JJJLUJL     Ollli'       USaiUiSj      l/llU       UU1I11     MU1L1I,  v 

(  Joyful  and  never  weary,  ( 

L  J 

96 


Offer  the  sacrifice  of  praise, 

Hearty  and  never  ceasing, 
Spiritual  songs  and  anthems  raise, 

Honor  and  thanks  and  blessing. 

Then  let  us  in  his  praises  join, 

Triumph  in  his  salvation; 
Glory  ascribe  to  Love  divine, 

Worship  and  adoration; 
Heaven  already  is  begun, 

Opened  in  each  believer; 
Only  believe,  and  still  sing  on ; 

Heaven  is  ours  for  ever! 

[Charles  Wesley.] 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


"  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock :  if  any  man  hear  my 
voice,  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with 
him,  and  he  with  me."  — Rev.  iii.  20. 


In  the  silent  midnight  watches, 

List  thy  bosom  door; 
How  it  knocketh,  knocketh,  knocketh, 

Knocketh  evermore. 
Say  not,  'tis  thy  pulses  beating, 

'Tis  thy  heart  of  sin ; 
'Tis  thy  Saviour  knocks  and  crieth, 

Rise,  and  let  me  in! 


Death  comes  down,  with  reckless  footstep, 

To  the  hall  and  hut: 
Think  you  Death  will  stand  a-knocking 

Where  the  door  is  shut  ? 
Jesus  waiteth,  waiteth,  waiteth, 

But  thy  door  is  fast! 
Grieved,  away  thy  Saviour  goeth, 

Death  breaks  in  at  last. 


WANT    OF    THOUGHT.                                           *■ 
| 

Then  'tis  thine  to  stand  entreating  ( 

Christ  to  let  thee  in  :  ( 

At  the  gate  of  heaven  beating, 

"Wailing  for  thy  sin. 
Nay,  alas !  thou  foolish  virgin,  ) 

Hast  thou  then  forgot  ? 
Jesus  waited  long  to  know  thee, 

But  he  knows  thee  not ! 

)  [A.  C.  Coxe.]        { 

(  ( 

) 

(  — **/$& — 


< 


i 


\  Want  of  Thangat. 

Alas  !  I  have  walked  through  life  ( 

Too  heedless  where  I  trod,  ( 

Nay,  helping  to  trample  my  fellow-worm,        ( 

And  fill  the  burial  sod,  ) 

)  Forgetting  that  even  the  sparrow  falls 

)  Not  unmarked  of  God! 

( 

if 


The  wounds  I  might  have  healed .  ( 


The  human  sorrows  and  smart ! 

And  yet  it  never  was  in  my  soul  ) 

)  To  play  so  ill  a  part :  ) 

)  Bat  evil  is  wrought  by  want  of  thought 

\  As  well  as  want  of  heart. 

[T.  Hood.]       ( 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


"  The  harvest  is  the  end  of  the  world,  and  the  reapers  are  the 
angels."— Matt.  xiii.  89. 

Int  his  wide  fields  walks  the  Master, 
In  his  fair  fields,  ripe  for  harvest ; 
Where  the  evening  sun  shines  slant-wise 
On  the  rich  ears  heavy  bending. 

Saith  the  Master :  "  It  is  time." 
Though  no  leaf  shows  brown  decadence, 
And  September's  nightly  frost-bite 
Only  reddens  the  horizon, — 
"  It  is  full  time,"  saith  the  Master, 

The  wise  Master,  u  It  is  time." 

Lo,  he  looks.     That  look  compelling 
Brings  his  laborers  to  the  harvest; 
Quick  they  gather,  as  in  autumn, 
Passage-birds  in  cloudy  eddies 

Drop  upon  the  sea-side  fields ; 
White  wings  have  they,  and  white  raiment, 
White  feet  shod  with  swift  obedience, 
Each  lays  down  his  golden  palm-branch, 
And  uprears  his  sickle,  shining, 

"  Speak,  O  Master,  is  it  time  ?  " 


100 


THOUGHTS    IN     A    WHEAT    FIELD. 


( 

O'er  the  fields  the  servants  hasten, 
Where  the  full-stored  ears  droop  downwards,       ( 
Humble  with  their  weight  of  harvest ; 
Where  the  empty  ears  wave  upward,  ) 

And  the  gay  tares  flaunt  in  rows :  J, 

But  the  sickles,  the  sharp   sickles, 
Flash  new  dawn  at  their  appearing; 
Songs  are  heard  in  earth  and  heaven, 


For  the  reapers  are  the  angels, 
And  it  is  the   harvest  time. 


m^ 


101 


,; 

O  great  Master,  are  thy  footsteps  ) 

Even  now  upon  the  mountains? 

Art  thou  walking  in  thy  wheat  fields? 

Are  the  snowy-winged  reapers 


Gathering  in  the  silent  air?  ( 

Are  thy  signs  abroad,  the  glowing  / 

Of  the  distant  sky,  blood  reddened —  ) 

And  the  near  fields  trodden,  blighted, 
Choked  by  the  gaudy  tares  triumphant  ? 

Sure  it  must  be  harvest  time. 

Who  shall  know  the  Master's  coming? 

Whether  it  be  at  dawn  or  sunset,  ( 

When  night  dews  weigh  down  the  wheat  ears,      / 

Or  while  noon  rides  hi  Mi  in  heaven, 

( 
Sleeping  lies  the  yellow  field  ?  [) 


w 

^  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


m 


Only  may  thy  voice,  good  Master, 
Peal  above  the  reapers'  chorus, 
And  dull  sound  of  sheaves  slow  falling,  — 
"  Gather  all  into  my  garner, 
For  it  is  my  harvest  time." 


[Miss  Muloch.] 


*J&R/*~ — 


"And  he  shewed  me  a  pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal, 
proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb."—  Rev.  xxii.  1. 


River  of  God !  that  springest 
Before  the  throne  on  high, 
To  weary  men  thou  bringest 


In  one  bright  body  meet. 


Healing  and  comfort  nigh.  ( 


Beside  thy  crystal  waters, 

Within  thy  golden  street,  jl 

God's  chosen  sons  and  daughters 


& 


<' 
( 

D 
( 

They  know  no  care  for  ever; 

Sorrow  and  pain  are  o'er:  ( 

That  union  nought  shall  sever, —  ( 

They  "  live  for  evermore  " 

102 


RIVER    OF    GOD. 


They  stand  in  peace  before  him 
Whose  name  is  on  their  brow; 

They  love  and  they  adore  him 
Before  whose  throne  they  bow. 

They  see  the  hand  that  fed  them, 
The  power  that  kept  them  strong ; 

They  bless  the  love  that  led  them 
Tenderly  all  life  long. 

River  of  God  !  with  gladness 

That  city  thou  dost  fill ; 
Thou  dost  dispel  all  sadness, — 

Thou  dost  all  strength  instill. 

River  of  God!  beside  thee 

Pure  joys  and  love  abide ; 
What  though  earth's  mists  may  hide  thee, 

What  though  rash  men  deride? 

They  hide,  but  can  not  stain  thee; 

We  feel  that  thou  art  pure  ; 
AVc  can  not  yet  attain  thee, 

Yet  know  thee  ever  sure. 


103 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


M 


"  And  they  sung  as  it  were  a  new  song  before  the  throne."— Rev. 
xiv.  3. 

Ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  sung 

Loud  anthems  round  the  throne, 
When  lo !  one  solitary  tongue 

Began  a  song  unknown ; 
A  song  unknown  to  angel  ears, 
A  song  that  told  of  banished  fears, 
Of  pardoned  sins,  and  dried-up  tears. 

Not  one  of  all  the  heavenly  host 
Could  these  high  notes  attain ! 
But  spirits  from  a  distant  coast 

United  in  the  strain, 
Till  he  who  first  began  the  song, 
To  sing  alone  not  suffered  long, 
Was  mingled  with  a  countless  throng. 

And  still,  as  hours  are  fleeting  by, 

The  angels  ever  bear 
Some  newly  ransomed  soul  on  high, 

To  join  the  chorus  there ; 
And  so  the  song  will  louder  grow, 
Till  all  redeemed  by  Christ  below 
To  that  fair  world  of  rapture  go. 

104  j 


FULLNESS    OF    CHRIST. 


That  I  may  sing  of  troubles  sharp 
Exchanged  for  endless  joys ; 


Oh  give  me,  Lord,  my  golden  harp, 
(  And  tune  my  broken  voice ; 

I 

) 

)  The  sons;  that  ne'er  was  heard  before - 

( 
)  A  sinner  reached  the  heavenly  shore, 

But  now  shall  sound  for  evermore. 

) 
( 
)  — ^e^a-v — 

i 
( 


Mkess  of 
I 

What  the  heart  is  at  the  birth, 
)  What  the  soul  is  to  the  earth, 

)  What  the  gem  is  to  the   mine, 

)  What  the  grape  is  to  the  vine, 

()  What  the  bloom  is  to  the  tree, 

That  is  Jesus  Christ  to  me. 

What  the  string  is  to  the  lute, 
What  the  breath  is  to  the  flute, 
(  What  the  spring  is  to  the  watch, 

?  What  the  nerve  is  to  the  touch, 

What  the  breeze  is  to  the  sea, 

)  That  is  Jesus    Christ  to  me. 

) 
( 


®U- 


105 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 

What  the  estate  is  to  the  heir, 

What  the  autumn's  to  the  year, 

What  the  seed  is  to  the  farm,  ) 

What  the  sunbeam's  to  the  corn,  ) 

What  the  flower  is  to  the  bee, 

That  is  Jesus  Christ  to  me. 


What  the  light  is  to  the  eye, 
What  the  sun  is  to  the  sky, 
What  the  sea  is  to  the  river, 


What  the  hand  is  to  the  giver,  ( 

What  a  friend  is  to  the  plea,  ) 

That  is  Jesus  Christ  to  me.  ) 

(' 

What  culture  is  unto  the  waste, 

What  honey  is  unto  the  taste,  [) 

What  fragrance  is  unto  the  smell, 

Or  springs  of  water  to  a  well, 

What  beauty  is  in  all  I  see,  ( 

All  this  and  more  is  Christ  to  me.  ( 

«' 
.' 

) 
( 

) 
( 


106 


HAGAR    AND    ISHMAEL. 


Hagar  aad  Mimaei 

M  ITe  turneth  the  wilderness  into  a  standing  water,  and  dry  ground        ) 
into  water  springs."— Psalm  cvii.  35.  V 

d 

They  sank  amid  the  wilderness, 

The  weary  and  forsaken  ;  ( 


She  gave  the  boy  one  faint  caress, 


a 

And  prayed  he  might  not  waken.  ) 

D 
( 
Far,  far  away  the  desert  spread: 

Ah!  Love  is  fain  to  cherish  ) 

The  vainest  hopes;  but  now  she  said,  j 

( 


Let  me  not  see  him  perish. 


Then  spoke  the  Lord,  and  at  his  word 

Sprang  forth  a  little  fountain, 
Pure,  cold  as  those  whose  crystal  hoard 

Is  in  some  pine-clad  mountain.  ( 

Oh,  blessed  God !  thus  does  thy  power,  ( 

When,  worn  and  broken-hearted,  ^ 

We  sink  beneath  some  evil  hour 
And  deem  all  hope  departed. 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 


Then  doth  the  fountain  of  thy  grace  ( 

Rise  up  within  the  spirit,  ( 

And  we  are  strengthened  for  that  race  ( 
Whose  prize  we  shall  inherit. 


) 

) 
) 

{ 

Even  I,  the  weakest,  at  the  fount  of  life !  ( 

Chide  not  my  steps,  that  venture  near  the  brink,      ( 

Weary  and  fainting  from  the  deadly  strife. 


'For  without  me  ye  can  do  nothing."— John  xv.  5. 


Oh,  send  me  not  away!  for  I  would  drink, 


Went  I  not  forth  undaunted  and  alone, 
Strong  in  the  majesty  of  human  might? 

Lo!  I  return  all  wounded  and  forlorn, 

My  dream  of  glory  lost  in  shades  of  night. 

Was  I  not  girded  for  the  battle-field? 

Bore  I  not  helm  of  pride,  and  glittering  sword  ? 
Behold  the  fragments  of  my  broken  shield, 

And  lend  to  me  thy  heavenly  armor,  Lordl 


&^^^ 


108 


J#$  A    PRAYER.  ^k 


0  gracious  God,  my  fainting  heart 
Calls  thee  to  aid  its  prayer; 

1  can  not  see  thee  in  thy  heaven, 
But  feel  that  thou  art  there. 


I  seem  to  try  to  know  thy  word, 
To  make  thy  precepts  mine; 

Ah  me  !  I  am  a  feeble  man,  — 

Thy  precepts  all  divine. 

) 
| 

)  Each  day  I  gird  me  to  perform 

The  duty  I  can  see, 
And  see  each  day  a  wider  space 
Between  myself  and  thee. 

<; 

j  Oh,  leave  me  not,  dear  blessed  God, 


A  prey  to  my  despair; 
But  give,  of  thine  exceeding  grace, 


(  A  value  to  my  prayer. 


&  109 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


» 


Forgive  undutiful  neglect;  ( 

Forgive  the  secret  sin ;  < 

And  let  me,  dying  to   myself,  ) 

This  day  thy  life  begin.  ) 

Through  me,  let  men  behold  thy  light,  ) 

As  through  a  window,  shine  ; 
And,  blessing  thee  that  I  have  lived, 

Account  the  glory  thine.  ( 

[E.  J.  C.     Christian  Inquirer.]       / 


| 

) 
( 

What  pleases  God,  O  pious  soul,  ( 

Accept  with  joy,  though  thunders  roll,  J 

And  tempests  lower  on  every  side  ;  ) 

Thou  knowest  naught  can  thee  betide  ) 

But  pleases  God.  j 

The  best  will  is  our  Father's  will,  t 

And  we  may  rest  there  calm  and  still;  ( 

Oh,  make  it  hour  by  hour  thine  own,  ( 

^nd  wish  for  naught  but  that  alone  ) 

Which  pleases  God.  ) 

110 


CHILDLIKE    SUBMISSION. 

His  thought  is  aye  the  wisest  thought ; 
How  oft  man's  wisdom  comes  to  naught; 
Mistake  or  weakness  in  it  lurks, 
It  brings  forth  ill,  and  seldom  works 
What  pleases  God. 

His  mind  is  aye  the  gentlest  mind, 
His  will  and  deeds  are  ever  kind ; 
He  blesses  when  against  us  speaks 
The  evil  world,  that  rarely  speaks 
What  pleases  God.     . 

His  heart  is  aye  the  truest  heart, 
He  bids  all  woe  and  harm  depart : 
Defending,  shielding  day  and  night 
The  man  who  knows  and  loves  aright 
What  pleases  God. 

He  governs  all  things  here  below, 
In  him  lie  "all  our  weal  and  woe : 
He  bears  the  world  within  his  hand, 
And  so  to  us  bear  sea  and  land 
What  pleases  God. 

And  o'er  his  little  flock  he  yearns, 
And  when  to  evil  ways  it  turns, 
The  Father's  rod  oft  smiteth  sore, 
Until  it  learns  to  do  once  more 
What  pleases  God. 

Ill 


rC^V 


^y*_sr    V^ 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


What  most  would  profit  us  he  knows, 
And  ne'er  denies  aught  good  to  those 
Who  with  their  utmost  strength  pursue 
The  right,  and  only  care  to  do 
What  pleases  God. 

If  this  be  so,  then,  World  from  me 
Keep,  if  thou  wilt,  what  pleases  thee 
But  thou,  my  soul,  be  well  content 
With  God,  and  all  things  he  hath  sent, 
As  pleases  God. 

And  must  thou  suffer  here  and  there, 
Cling  but  the  firmer  to  his  care; 
For  all  things  are  beneath  his  sway, 
And  must  in  every  truth  obey 
What  pleases  God. 

True  faith  will  grasp  his  mercy  fast, 
And  hope  bring  patience  al  the  last ; 
Then  both  within  thy  heart  enshrine, 
So  shall  the  heritage  be  thine 
That  pleases  God. 

To  thee  for  ever  shall  be  given 
A  kingdom  and  a  throne  in  heaven : 
And  there  shall  be  fulfilled  in  thee, 
And  thou  shalt  taste  and  hear  and  see 
What  pleases  God. 

[Paul  Gerhardt-ira.] 

112  i 


Su. 


NIGHT    SONG. 


Ki&il  Song. 

Heart,  be  still! 
In  the  darkness  of  thy  woe, 
Bow  thee,  silently  and  low; 
Comes  to  thee  -whate'er  God  will,  — 

Be  thou  still! 

Be  thou  still ! 
Vainly  all  thy  words  are  spoken ; 
Till  the  word  of  God  hath  broken 
Life's  dark  mysteries, — good  or  ill; 

Be  thou  still. 

Sleep  thou  still! 
'Tis  thy  Father's  work  of  grace ; 
Wait  thou  yet  before  his  face, 
He  thy  sure  deliverance  will, — 

Keep  thou  still! 

Lord,  my  God ! 
By  thy  grace,  oh,  may  I  be 
All-submissive,  silently, 
To  the  chastenings  of  the  rod, — 

Lord,  my  God. 

113 


. 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


— — we^£^x^— 


*:| 
- < 

( 

Shepherd,  king!  ( 

From  thy  fullness,  grant  to  me  ( 

Still,  yet  fearless  faith  in  thee,  ) 

Till  from  night  the  day  shall  spring,  ) 

Shepherd,  king.  ) 

D 
( 

(' 

) 
( 

1) 
( 

) 
< 

) 

} 

When  we  are  dark  and  dead,  ( 

And  thou  art  covered  with  a  cloud  < 

Hanging  before  thee  like  a  shroud,  ) 

So  that  our  prayer  can  find  no  way,  ) 

Oh,  teach  us  that  we  do  not  say 

"  Where  is  thy  brightness  fled  ? " 

But  that  we  search  and  try  ( 

What  in  ourselves    has  wrought  this  blame,     ( 
For  thou  remainest  still  the  same.  ? 


Not  thou  from  us,  O  Lord,  but  we 
Withdraw  ourselves  from  thee. 


CTrench.] 
114  £ 


«' 


But  earth's  own  vapors  earth  may  fill  ) 

With  darkness  and  thick  clouds,  while  still 
The  sun  is  in  the  sky. 


DISTRACTIONS     IN     PRAYER. 


Bistraetieas  xa  Frayw. 


Ah,  dearest  Lord !  I  can  not  pray, 

My  fancy  is  not  free ; 
Unmannerly  distractions  come, 

And  force  my  thoughts  from  thee. 

D 
I 

The  world  that  looks  so  dull  all  day 

Glows  bright  on  me  at  prayer, 

And  plans  that  ask  no  thought  but  then, 

)  Wake  up  and  meet  me  there. 

{ 

All  nature  one  full  fountain  seems 

Of  dreamy  sight  and  sound, 
"Which,  when  I  kneel,  breaks  up  its  deeps, 

And  makes  a  deluge  round. 

) 

( 

(v  Old  voices  murmur  in  my  ear; 

New  hopes  start  into  life  ; 
And  past  and  future  gayly  blend 
('  In  one  bewitching  strife. 

L... nt  _  ^  ^  ^  ^  _i 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE, 


My  very  flesh  has  restless  fits; 

My  changeful  limbs  conspire 
With  all  these  phantoms  of  the  mind, 

My  inner  self  to  tire. 

I  can  not  pray;  yet,  Lord,  thou  know'st 

The  pain  it  is  to  me, 
To  have  my  vainly  struggling  thoughts 

Thus  torn  away  from  thee. 

Ah,  Jesus!  teach  me  how  to  prize 
These  tedious  hours,  when  I, 

Foolish  and  mute  before  thy  face, 
In  helpless  worship  lie. 


Prayer  was  not  meant  for  luxury, 
Or  selfish  pastime  sweet; 

It  is  the  prostrate  creature's  place 
At  his  Creator's  feet. 


Had  I  kept  stricter  watch  each  hour 
O'er  tongue  and  eye  and  ear, 

Had  I  but  mortified  all  day 
Each  joy  as  it  came  near, — 

116 


J) 


I- 


DISTRACTIONS    IN     FRAYER. 


H 


In  weak,  distracted  prayer; 


)  A  sinner  out  of  heart  with  self, 

)  Most  often  finds  thee  there. 

And  prayer  that  humbles,  sets  the  soul 
From  all  illusions  free, 
)  And  teaches  it  how  utterly, 

^  Dear  Lord,  it  hangs  on  thee. 

f 

)  Is  covetously  bent, 

)  Will  bless  thy  chastening  hand  that  makes 

(  Its  prayer  its  punishment. 

)  Ah,  Jesus !  why  should  I  complain  ? 

And  why  fear  aught  but  sin  ? 
Distractions  are  but  outward  things; 


The  soul  that  on  self-sacrifice 


Thy  peace  dwells  far  within  ! 


| 

Had  I,  dear  Lord !  no  pleasure  found  ([ 

But  in  the  thought  of  thee, 
Prayer  would  have  come  unsought,  and  been 
)  A  truer  liberty. 

D 

r 

Yet  thou  art  oft  most  present,  Lord, 


117 


4 


These  surface  troubles  come  and  go, 

Like  rufflings  of  the  sea, 
The  deeper  depth  is  out  of  reach 
)  To  all,  my  God,  but  thee. 

\  [Frederick  Faber.]        ( 


,) 

)  Christ  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life. 

) 


-e^a^ 


( 
( 
( 
( 
( 
( 
( 

.' 
(' 

) 

(      Yes,  thou  art  still  the  life ;  thou  art  the  way 
/  The  holiest  know — light,  life,  and  way  of  heaven 

)     And  they  who  dearest  hope  and  deepest  pray, 

Toil  by  the  light,  life,  way,  which  thou  hast 
given. 


O  thou  great  Friend  to  all  the  sons  of  men, 

Who  once  appeared  in  humblest  guise  below, 
Sin  to  rebuke,  to  break  the  captive's  chain, 
)         And  call  the  brethren  forth  from  want  and  woe ; 
) 
)     We  look  to  thee  !  thy  truth  is  still  the  light 

Which  guides  the  nations,  groping  on  their  way, 
Stumbling  and  falling  in  disastrous  night, 
Yet  hoping  ever  for  the  perfect  day. 


[Theodore  Parker.] 

118  «JH 


'For  the  Lord  is  good;  his  mercy  is  everlasting."      Psalm   c. 


) 

( 
) 

( 
) 

( 

Still,  soft,  and  white  upon  the  tasseled  pine        ( 
The   wreathing    snows    their   graceful    garlands 

twine ;  ) 

The  generous  tribute  lieth  lightly  prest  ) 

Upon  each  pointed  spire  and  tufted  crest; 
Falling  unheeded  from  the  sky  above, 
Upon  its  brightness  comes  the  chilling  rain, —       u 
Dissolves  in  silence  all  the  treasured  gain ;  ( 

Into  the  bosom  of  the  green  old  tree,  ) 

Unseen  the  snowflakes  sink  all  silently,  1) 

And  with  soft  touch  its  hidden  pulses  move.  ) 

) 
So  on  our  heads,  O  Lord,  thy  mercies  fall, 

Attend  each  sore  distress,  each  sorrow  small. 


Evil  —  unthankful  —  wheresoe'er  we  go,  ( 

Thy  love  rests  on  us,  lavish  as  the  snow,  ) 

Unheeded  oft  from  the  abundance  given.  ) 

Dark,  heavy  gusts  of  sorrow  touch  the  soul,  t) 
And  silently  the  burdened  blessings  roll 
Into  our  hearts  unseen,  to  nourish  there 

Perchance  forgot  —  the  sacrament  of  prayer  !  ( 

[Independent.]       / 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


<!      listen.  listen  to  tn© 


,» 


(  Listen,  listen  to  the  hour! 

(  Ten  strikes  from  the  old  church-tower. 

('  Now  pray,  and  then  lie  down  to  rest, 

)  Ye  whose  minds  are  calm  and  blest; 

)  Sleep  soft  and  well,  —  in  heaven  bright 

)  An  eye  wakes  for  you  all  the  night. 

( 

) 
( 
/     Listen,  listen  to  the  hour! 

)     Eleven  from  the  old  church-tower. 

)  Ye  who  still  more  labor  find, 

\  Ye  who  read  with  anxious  mind, 

(  Once  more  to  God  in  heaven  pray, — 

(  It  is  not  too  late,  —  now  sleep  till  day  ! 

( 

)     Listen,  listen  to  the  hour ! 

\     Twelve  strikes  from  the  old  church-tower. 
Ye  whom  midnight  still  doth  find 
With  aching  heart  and  troubled  mind, 
God  grant  you  now  a  quiet  hour, 

)  And  guard  and  keep  you  by  his  power. 

) 

120 


!* 


LISTEN,     LISTEN     TO    THE    HOUR. 


) 

(      Listen,  listen  to  the  hour  ! 

(  One  strikes  from  the  old  church-tower. 
Ye  who  now  with  shame  and  fear, 
Thieving  steal  through  pathways  drear, — 

)  I  dare  not  hope,  —  but  oh,  beware  ! 

)  Though  none  are  nigh,  your  Judge  is  there. 

) 

)     Listen,  listen  to  the  hour! 
)     Two  strikes  from  the  old  church-tower. 
Ye  who,  though  'tis  nearly  day, 
On  your  hearts  let  sorrow  prey, 
(  Poor  fools !  repose  and  sleep  are  here  , 

?  God  cares  for  you,  —  do  not  fear! 

«' 

(      Listen,  listen  to  the  hour! 

Three  strikes  from  the  old  church-tower. 
The  morning  twilight  fades  away ; 
Ye  who  dare  to  greet  the  day, 


Thank  God,  and  fear  not,  —  all  is  well; 
Now  go  to  work,  and  so,  farewell. 


121 


c. 


I- 

)  (h&t  ia  the  Gold. 


)     The  air  is  cold,  the  way  is  dark  and  dreary,  ) 

)                          The  night  has  come;  i 

I  see  thee  wander,  foot-sore,  faint,  and  weary,  ^ 

Afar  from  home.  ( 


; 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


The  stars  retire,  the  clouded  skies  are  weeping  ( 

Their  chilling  tears  ;  ( 

Through   the   thick   mists,  the   shadows  weirdly  ( 

creeping,  ( 

)  No  dawn  appears.  D 

Beset  with  forms  of  evil  thronging  round  thee, 
O  stranger  soul, 

How  canst  thou  break  the  spell  that  now  hath      \ 
(  bound  thee 

('  In  its  control?  ( 


~No  light,  —  no  hope, — oh,  hear  that  soft  voice      j 
calling 
)  In  tones  of  love, 

)     Sweeter  than  sound  of  silver  streamlet  falling 
In  shady  grove. 


122 


A  Saviour's  ear  has  heard  thy  mournful  story, 

It  thrilled  his  heart,  — 
He  calls  thee, —  rise,  thou  new-made  heir  of  glory ; 

Bid  doubt  depart. 


Thou  hast  a  friend !    No  longer  sad  and  lonely, 
Condemned  to  grieve, 
)      That  pleading  voice  is  one  of  mercy  only, 
Then  hear  and  live. 


OUT    IN    THE    COLD. 


.....1 


Look  upward, —  see,  the  banquet-hall  is  lighted  ; 

It  shines  for  thee  ; 
(      The  feast  is  spread, —  the  white-robed  guests  in- 
(  vited, 

All,  all  for  thee ! 


r      A  happy  child,  there  shalt  thou  dwell  for  ever 

In  perfect  peace. 
)      There  rich  fruition  crowns  each  bright  endeavor, 


And  struggles  cease. 


Lulled  by  the  music  low  of  life's  pure  river, 

Lie  down  at  last, 
Out  in  the  cold  ?     Ah,  no,  at  home  for  ever, 
|  Thy  lot  is  cast ! 


123 


m 


SONGS    OF     PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


TO, 


A  little  bird  I  am, 

Shut  from  the  fields  of  air ; 

And  in  my  cage  I  sit  and  sing 
To  him  who  placed  me  there,  — 

Well  pleased  a  prisoner  to  be, 

Because,  my  God,  it  pleases  thee. 


Naught  have  I  else  to  do; 

I  sing  the  whole  day  long ; 
And  he  whom  most  I  love  to  please 

Doth  listen  to  my  song ; 
He  caught  and  bound  my  wandering  wing, 
But  still  he  bends  to  hear  me  sing. 


Thou  hast  an  ear  to  hear; 

A  heart  to  love  and  bless ; 
And  though  my  notes  were  e'er  so  rude, 

Thou  would'st  not  hear  the  less; 
Because  thou  knowest,  as  they  fall, 
That  love,  sweet  love,  inspires  them  all. 

124 


M 


¥ 


A    LITTLE    BIRD    I    AM. 


My  cage  confines  me  round ; 

Abroad  I  can  not  fly; 
But,  though  my  wing  is  closely  bound, 

My  heart's  at  liberty. 
My  prison  walls  can  not  control 
The  flight,  the  freedom  of  my  soul. 


Oh!  it  is  good  to  soar 

These  bolts  and  bars  above, 
To  Him  whose  purpose  I  adore, 

Whose  providence  I  love ; 
And  in  His  mighty  will  to  find 
The  joy,  the  freedom  of  the  mind ! 

[Madam  Guion.] 


& 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    FRAISE. 


JwEg©  aot. 

"But  why  dost  thou  judge  thy  brother  ?  or  why  dost  thou  set  at 
nought  thy  brother  ?  for  we  shall  all  stand  before  the  judgment-seat 
of  Christ."  —Romans  xiv.  10. 

Judge  not;  the  workings  of  his  brain 
And  of  his  heart  thou  canst  not  see ; 

What  looks  to  thy  dim  eyes  a  stain, 
In  God's  pure  light  may  only  be 

A  scar,  brought  from  some  well-won  field, 

Where  thou  wouldst  only  faint  and  yield. 


The  look,  the  air,  that  frets  thy  sight, 
May  be  a  token,  that  below, 

The  soul  has  closed  in  deadly  fight 
)  With  some  internal  fiery  foe, 

)  Whose  glance  would  scorch  thy  smiling  grace, 

And  cast  thee  shuddering  on  thy  face ! 

The  fall  thou  darest  to  despise, — 
May  be  the  slackened  angel's  hand 

Has  suffered  it,  that  he  may  rise 
And  take  a  firmer,  surer  stand; 

Or,  trusting  less  to  earthly  things, 

May  henceforth  learn  to  use  his  wings. 


126 


THE     PILGRIM    OF    EARTH. 


And  judge  none  lost,  but  ever  wait 
With  hopeful  pity,  not  disdain ; 

The  depth  of  the  abyss  may  be 
The  measure  of  the  height  of  pain, 

And  love  and  glory  that  may  raise 

This  soul  to  God  in  after  days! 

[Household  Words.] 

— ^e^pjd^ — 

Tfeo  m.snm  of  lartk 

Pilgrim  of  earth,  who  art  journeying  to  heaven  ! 

Heir  of  eternal  life  !  child  of  the  day  ! 
Cared  for,  watched  over,  loved  and  forgiven, — 

Art  thou  discouraged  because  of  the  way  ? 

Cared  for,  watched  over,  tho'  often  thou  seemest 
Justly  forsaken,  nor  counted  a  child ; 

Loved  and  forgiven,  tho'  rightly  thou  deemest 
Thyself  all  unlovely,  impure,  and  denied. 

Weary  and  thirsty,  no  water-brook  near  thee, 
Press  on,  nor  faint  at  the  length  of  the  way, 

The  God  of  thy  life  will  assuredly  hear  thee,  — 
He  will  provide  thee  with  strength  for  the  day. 

te  127  4 


f 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE.            ^  ) 
( 

<L  < 

) 

(  Break   through  the   brambles   and    briers    that  ( 

(  obstruct  thee,  ( 

/  Dread   not   the   gloom   and   the   blackness  of  r 

)  night,  () 

)  Lean  on  the  hand  that  will  safely  conduct  thee,  ) 

)  Trust  to  his  eye  to  whom  darkness  is  light.  ) 

(      Be  trustful,  be  steadfast,  whatever  betide  thee,  ( 

Only  one  thing  do  thou  ask  of  the  Lord, —  ( 

Grace  to  go  forward  wherever  he  guide  thee,  ) 
)          Simply  believing  the  truth  of  his  word. 

)  Still  on  thy  spirit  deep  anguish  is  pressing,  ) 

(  Not  for  the  yoke  that  his  wisdom  bestows; 

(  A  heavier  burden  thy  soul  is  distressing, 
(  A  heart  that  is  slow  in  his  love  to  repose.  ( 

<: 

)     Earthliness,  coldness,  unthankful  behavior, —  J 

)  Ah  !  thou  mayest  sorrow,  but  do  not  despair, —       ) 


Even  this  grief  thou  mayest  bring  to  thy  Saviour ;      \ 
(  Cast  upon  him  e'en  this  burden  and  care ! 

(      Bring   all   thy   hardness,  —  his   power   can 
(  due  it ; 

)         How  full  is  the  promise  !  the  blessing  how  free  ! 
)     "  Whatsoever  ye  ask,  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it, 
Abide  in  my  love,  and  be  joyful  in  me." 


128 


STRIVE,    WAIT,    AND    PRAY. 


Strive,  yet  I  do  not  promise 

The  prize  you  dream  of  to-day 
Will  not  fade  when  you  think  to  grasp  it, 

And  melt  "in  your  hand  away ; 
But  another  and  holier  treasure, 

You  would  now  perchance  disdain, 
Will  come  when  your  toil  is  over, 

And  pay  you  for  all  your  pain. 

Wait;  yet  I  do  not  tell  you 

The  hour  you  long  for  now 
Will  not  come  with  its  radiance  vanished, 

And  a  shadow  upon  its  brow; 
Yet  far  through  the  misty  future, 

With  a  crown  of  starry  light, 
An  hour  of  joy  you  know  not, 

Is  winging  her  silent  flight. 

Pray,  though  the  gift  you  ask  for 
May  never  comfort  your  fears, 

May  never  repay  your  pleading, 
Yet  pray,  with  hopeful  tears ; 

129 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE.  W \ 


An  answer,  not  that  you  long  for, 

But  diviner,  will  come  one  day;  ( 

Your  eyes  are  too  dim  to  see  it, 

Yet  strive,  and  wait,  and  pray.  ) 

I' 


C Adelaide  Ann  Proctor.] 

*  of  t&©  JkordL  | 


Thy  word,  O  Lord,  like  gentle  dews, 

Falls  soft  on  hearts  that  pine :  ) 

Lord,  to  thy  garden  ne'er  refuse 
This  heavenly  balm  of  thine. 

Watered  from  thee,  d 

Let  every  tree  ( 

^  Put  forth  and  blossom  to  thy  praise, 

And  bear  much  fruit  in  after  days. 


Thy  word  is  like  a  flaming  sword, 

A  wedge  that  cleaveth  stone ; 
Keen  as  a  fire,  so  burns  thy  word, 
And  pierceth  flesh  and  bone. 
Let  it  go  forth 
O'er  all  the  earth, 
To  purify  all  hearts  within, 
And^ptettter  all  the  might  of  sin. 

130 


& 


Thy  word,  a  wondrous  morning  star, 

On  pilgrims'  hearts  doth  rise, 
Leads  to  their  Lord,  who  dwell  afar, 
And  makes  the  simple  wise. 
Let  not  its  light 
E'er  sink  in  night, 
But  still  on  every  spirit  shine, 
That  none  may  miss  thy  light  divine. 

[Translated  by  Catharine  Winkworth.] 


0> 
i 

"Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord."  — Fs alii.  lv.  22. 

Is  this  the  way,  my  Father  ?     'Tis,  my  child. 
Thou  must  pass  through  this  tangled,  dreary  wild 
If  thou  wouldst  reach  the  city,  undefined, 

Thy  peaceful  home  above. 

But  enemies  are  round !     Yes,  child,  I  know 
That  where  thou  least  expectest,  thou'lt  find   a 

foe  ; 
But  victor  thou  shalt  prove  o'er  all  below, 

Only  seek  strength  above. 


131 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


My  Father,  it  is  dark !     Child,  take  my  hand, 
Cling  close  to  me ;  I'll  lead  thee  through  the  land ; 
Trust  my  all-seeing  care ;  so  shalt  thou  stand 

'Midst  glory  bright  above. 

My  footsteps  seem  to  slide  !     Child,  only  raise 
Thine  eye  to  me,  then,  in  these  slippery  ways 
I  will  hold  up  thy  goings  ;  thou  shalt  praise 
Me  for  each  step,  above. 

O  Father,  I  am  weary  !  Child,  lean  thy  head 
Upon  my  breast.  It  was  my  love  that  spread 
Thy  rugged  path ;  hope  on,  till  I  have  said, 

"  Rest,  rest  for  aye,  above." 


132 


EVENING     PRAYER. 


,' 


Eveniag  Prater. 

)  ■  Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord,  and  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee." 

(         Psalm  cii.  1. 

( 

I  come  to  thee,  to-night, 
)     In  my  lone  closet  where  no  eye  can  see, 
)      And  dare  to  crave  an  interview  with  thee, 

^  Father  of  love  and  light! 

( 

<> 

I 
I 

( 


Softly  the  moonbeams  shine 
On  the  still  branches  of  the  shadowy  trees, 
While  all  sweet  sounds  of  evening  on  the  breeze 

Steal  through  the  slumbering  vine. 

Thou  gav'st  the  calm  repose 
(       That  rests  on  all,  —  the  air,  the  birds,  the  flower, 

The  human  spirit  in  its  weary  hour, 
)  Now  at  the  bright  day's  close. 

) 
( 

'Tis  Nature's  time  for  prayer : 

)      The  silent  praises  of  the  glorious  sky, 

And  the  earth's  orisons,  profound  and  high, 

To  heaven  their  breathings  bear. 


133 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 


With  them  my  soul  would  bend  ( 


In  humble  reverence  at  thy  holy  throne,  ( 

)     Trusting  the  merits  of  thy  Son  alone  J 

)  Thy  scepter  to  extend.  ) 

J>  0 

0 

If  I  this  day  have  striven  < 

With  thy  blest  Spirit,  or  have  bowed  the  knee      J 

)     To  aught  of  earth,  in  weak  idolatry,  1 

)                 I  pray  to  be  forgiven.  \ 

)  ) 

)  If  in  my  heart  has  been  ) 

An  unforgiving  thought,  or  word,  or  look,  \ 

Though   deep   the   malice  which  I  scarce  could      ( 
brook, 
(  Wash  me  from  the  dark  sin. 

{ 

) 
( 


(  If  I  have  turned  away 

/  From  grief  or  suffering  which  I  might  relieve,       ) 

)  Careless  the  cup  of  water  e'en  to  give,                     ) 

)  Forgive  me,  Lord,  I  pray. 

)  And  teach  me  how  to  feel 


My  sinful  wanderings  with  a  deeper  smart,  ) 

And  more  of  mercy  and  of  grace  impart, 

My  sinfulness  to  heal.  (. 


iu. 


134 


EVENING    PRAYER. 


( 

( 

Father !  my  soul  would  be  ( 

Pure  as  the  drops  of  eve's  unsullied  dew,  ( 

And  as  the  stars  whose  nightly  course  is  true,      ) 


So  would  I  be  to  thee. 


Not  for  myself  alone,  ) 

Would  I  these  blessings  of  thy  love  implore,  ) 

But  for  each  penitent  the  wide  earth  o'er,  \ 

Whom  thou  hast  called  thine  own.  ( 

( 

And  for  my  heart's  best  friends,  \ 

Whose  steadfast  kindness  o'er  my  painful  years  I, 

Has  watched  to  soothe  afflictions,  griefs  and  tears,  ( 

My  warmest  prayer  ascends.  ( 

; 

Should  o'er  their  path  decline  ( 

The  light  of  gladness,  or  of  hope,  or  health,  ) 

Be  thou  their  solace,  and  their  joy  and  wealth,  ) 

As  they  have  long  been  mine.  ) 

And  now,  O  Father!  take  ) 

The  heart  I  cast  with  humble  faith  on  thee,  ) 

And  cleanse  its  depths  from  each  impurity,  ^ 

For  my  Redeemer's  sake.  ( 

[From  Hymns  of  the  Ages.]       ( 

) 
( 

£  135  gffi 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


Vt 


"Therefore,  if  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature  :  old 
things  are  passed  away:  behold  all  things  are  become  new."  — 2 
Cor.  v.  17. 

O  Faith!  thou  workest  miracles 

Upon  the  hearts  of  men, 
Choosing  thy  home  in  those  same  hearts, 

We  know  not  how  or  when. 


To  one  thy  grave  unearthly  truths 
A  heavenly  vision  seem ; 

While  to  another's  eye  they  are 
A  superstitious  dream. 

To  one,  the  deepest  doctrines  look 

So  naturally  true, 
That  when  he  learns  the  lesson  first 

He  hardly  thinks  it  new. 

To  other  hearts  the  selfsame  truths 
No  light  or  heat  can  bring; 

They  are  but  puzzling  phrases  strung 
Like  beads  upon  a  string. 


136 


-j 


CONVERSION. 


Oh,  gift  of  gifts  !     Oh,  grace  of  faith  ! 

My  God!  how  can  it  be 
That  thou,  who  hast  discerning  love, 

Should'st  give  that  gift  to  me? 


There  was  a  place,  there  was  a  time, 
Whether  by  night  or  day, 

Thy  Spirit  came  and  left  that  gift, 
And  went  upon  his  way. 


How  many  hearts  thou  might'st  have  had 

More  innocent  than  mine ! 
How  many  souls  more  worthy  far 

Of  that  sweet  touch  of  thine  ! 


Ah,  grace !  into  unlikeliest  hearts 
It  is  thy  boast  to  come, 

The  glory  of  thy  light  to  find 
In  darkest  spots  a  home. 


How  will  they  die,  how  will  they  die, 
How  bear  the  cross  of  grief, 

Who  have  not  got  the  light  of  faith, 
The  courage  of  belief? 

fe  _  _137  -  M 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER     AND     PRAISE. 


The  crowd  of  cares,  the  weightiest  cross, 
Seem  trifles  less  than  light; 

Earth  looks  so  little  and  so  low, 

Then  faith  shines  full  and  bright. 


O  happy,  happy  that  I  am, 

If  thou  canst  be,  O  faith, 
The  treasure  that  thou  art  in  life, 

What  wilt  thou  be  in  death? 

Thy  choice,  O  God  of  goodness,  then 

I  lovingly  adore ; 
Oh,  give  me  grace  to  keep  thy  grace, 

And  grace  to  merit  more ! 

[Frederick  Faber.] 


138 


A*r*  THE     HEART'S    CORE. 

J) 

( 
) 
( 

I 

The  Ecart's  Sore. 


: 


"  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
)       thee."— Isaiau  xxvi.  3. 
( 

)  "  Heart,  heart,  lie  still ! 

\  Life  is  fleeting  fast, 


1 


Strife  will  soon  be  past." 
"  I  can  not  lie  still, 
^  Beat  strong  I  will." 

) 
( 
) 
K  "Heart,  heart,  lie  still! 


Joy 's  but  joy,  and  pain  's  but  pain ; 
Either  little  loss  or  gain." 
"  I  can  not  lie  still, 
Beat  strong  I  will." 

.; 

"  Heart,  heart,  lie  still ! 
Heaven  is  over  all, 
Rules  this  earthly  ball." 
)  "  I  can  not  lie  still, 

)  Beat  strong  I  will. 


139 


<> 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 


Heaven's  sweet  grace  alone 
Can  keep  in  peace  its  own." 


w 

I 

0  "  Heart,  heart,  lie  still ! 

D 
( 
) 

)  "  Let  that  me  fill, 

)  And  I  am  still." 

\  [Disciples'  Hymn  Book.] 

I 

) 

)  ■ — ^(y&v — 

/  Oh,  what  a  cunning  guest 

)  Is  this  same  grief!  within  my  heart  I  made 
)  Closets,  and  in  them  many  a  chest; 

)  And,  like  a  master  in  my  trade, 

(  In  those  chests,  boxes;   in  each  box  a  till; 

(  Yet  grief  knows  all,  and  enters  when  he  will. 

<' 

) 

)  No  screw,  no  piercer  can 

j  Into  a  piece  of  timber  work  and  wind, 

(  As  God's  afflictions  into  man, 

(  When  lie  a  torture  hath  designed. 

) 
(      They  are  too  subtle  for  the  subtlest  hearts, 

( 


And  fall,  like  rheums,  upon  the  tcnderest  parts. 

) 

i 

&j§S  140  i 


CONFESSION.  ^h 


( 

We  are  the  earth ;  and  they, 
Like  moles  within  us,  heave  and  cast  about ,  ( 

And  till  they  find  and  clutch  their  prey,         / 
They  never  cool,  much  less  give  out ; 
No  smith   can  make  such  locks,  but  they  have 

keys; 
Closets  are  halls  to  them ;  and  hearts  highways. 


c 

) 
( 
Only  an  open  breast  ) 

Doth  shut  them  out,  so  that  they  can  not  enter 


Or,  if  they  enter,  can   not  rest, 


Wherefore  my  faults  and  sins, 


But  quickly  seek  some  new  adventure.  ( 

Smooth  open  hearts  no  fastening  have ;  but  fiction      ( 


Doth  give  a  hold  and  handle  to  affliction.  (} 

i 


Lord,  I  acknowledge ;  take  thy  plagues  away ;        ( 
For  since  confession  pardon  wins,  ( 

I  challenge  here  the  brightest  day, 
The  clearest  diamond;   let  them  do  their  best,        ,) 
They  shall  be  thick  and  cloudy  to  my  breast. 

[George  Herbert.]  j 

I 

( 


-t^cKj 


w 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER     AND     PRAISE.  &A 


"  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for 
of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God."  — Luke  xviii.  1G. 


They  are  going,  only  going; 

Jesus  called  them  long  ago; 
All  the  wintry  time  they're  passing 

Softly  as  the  falling  snow. 
When  the  violets  in  the  spring-time 

Catch  the  azure  ^f  the  sky, 
They  are  carried  out  to  slumber 

Sweetly  where  the  violets  lie. 


They  are  going,  —  only  going, — 

When  with  summer  earth  is  dressed, 
In  their  cold  hands  holding  roses 

Folded  to  each  silent  breast; 
When  the  autumn  hangs  red  banners 

Out  above  the  harvest  sheaves, 
They  arc  going,  —  ever  going, — 

Thick  and  fast,  like  falling  leaves. 


142  $y 


GOING     HOME.  *-»,  fs 

Q 

J 

All  along  the  mighty  ages,  ( 

All  adown  the  solemn  Time,  ( 

They  have  taken  up  their  homeward 

March,  to  that  serener  clime,  D 

...  ( 

Where  the  watching,  waiting  angels  ) 

Lead  them  from  the  shadows  dim,  \ 

To  the  brightness  of  his  presence 

Who  has  called  them  unto  him.  ( 

They  are  going,  —  only  going  ( 

Out  of  pain,  and  into  bliss, —  r 

Out  of  sad  and  sinful  weakness,  ) 

Into  perfect  holiness.  I 

) 
( 
I 


Snowy  brows,  —  no  care  shall  shade  them; 

Bright  eyes,  —  tears  shall  never  dim  ; 
Rosy  lips,  —  no  time  shall  fade  them;  — 


Jesus  called  them  unto  him. 


Little  hearts  for  ever  stainless, — 

Little  hands  as  pure  as  they, — 
Little  feet  by  angels  guided 

Never  a  forbidden  way. 
They  are  going,  —  ever  going, 

Leaving  many  a  lonely  spot ; 
But  'tis  Jesus  who  has  called  them,  —  ( 

Suffer,  and  forbid  them  not. 

[Religious  Miscellany.]         ) 
MS  Jf 


>  SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 

Rest  aai  Labor. 

"  Two  hands  upon  the  breast,  and  labor  is  past." 

Two  hands  upon  the  breast, 

And  labor's  done; 
Two  pale  feet  crossed  in  rest, — 

The  race  is  won ; 
Two  eyes  with  coin  weights  shut, 

And  all  tears  cease; 
Two  lips  where  grief  is  mute, 

And  wrath  at  peace." 
So  pray  we  oftentimes,  mourning  our  lot; 
God  in  his  kindness  answereth  not. 

"  Two  hands  to  work  addrest, 
Aye,  for  His  praise; 
Two  feet  that  never  rest, 

Walking  his  ways; 
Two  eyes  that  look  above, 

Still,  through  all  tears; 
Two  lips  that  breathe  but  love, 
Nevermore  fears." 
So  cry  we  afterwards,  low  at  our  knees  ; 
Pardon  those  erring  prayers, — Father,  hear  these  ! 

[From  Chambers's  Journal.] 
if  144 


As?  GROWING    IN    GRACE. 


1 

GcGwiaf  m  G&aee.  f 


-But  grow  in   grace,    and   in  the    knowledge  of  our   Lord  and       \ 

/         Saviour  Jesu3  Christ."  — 2  Petek  iii.  18.  /' 

This  did  not  once  so  trouble  me,  ) 
^             That  better  I  could  not  love  Thee; 
But  now  I  feel  and  know, 

That  only  when  we  love,  we  find,  ( 

(               How  far  our  hearts  remain  behind  < 
The  love  they  should  bestow. 

.' 

T\  hile  we  had  little  care  to  call  ) 

)              On  thee,  and  scarcely  prayed  at  all,  ) 

)                 We  seemed  enough  to  pray;  ) 

But    now   wp    onlv   think   with    shamp.  V 


But  now  we  only  think  with  shame,  * 

How  seldom  to  thy  glorious  name  ( 

() 

)) 
( 


Our  lips  their  offerings  pay.  ( 

And  when  we  gave  yet  slighter  heed  ? 

Unto  our  suffering  brother's  need: 

Our  hearts  reproached  us  then 
Not  half  so  much  as  now  that  we, 
With  such  a  careless  eye,  can  see  ^ 

The  woes  and  wants  of  men.  ( 

w.i  145  3§§a 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE.  * 

In  doing  is  this  knowledge  won, 
To  see  what  yet  remains  undone, 

With  this  our  pride  repress ; 
And  give  us  grace,  a  growing  store, 
That  day  by  day  we  may  do  more, 

And  may  esteem  it  less. 

[Richard  Chenevix  Trench.] 

— -*~e/$/d~+ — 

T&e  Laad  @f  Premise* ' 

There  is  a  land  where  beauty  will  not  fade, 

Nor  sorrow  dim  the  eye  ; 
Where  true  hearts  will  not  sink  nor  be  dismayed, 
And  love  will  never  die. 
Tell  me,  —  I  fain  would  go, 
For  I  am  burdened  with  a  heavy  woe, — 
The  beautiful  have  left  me  all  alone, 
The  true,  the  tender  from  my  path  have  gone, 
And  I  am  weak  and  fainting  with  despair. 
Where  is  it?     Tell  me,  where? 
Friend,  thou  must  trust  in  Him  who  trod  before 

The  desolate  paths  of  life; 
Must  bear  in  meekness,  as  he  meekly  bore, 
Sorrow,  and  toil,  and  strife. 


146 


AFFLICTION. 


,» 


Think  how  the  Son  of  God 
These  thorny  paths  hath  trod; 
Think  how  he  longed  to  go, 
Yet  tarried  out  for  thee  th'  appointed  woe ; 
Think  of  his  loneliness  in  places  dim, 
When  no  man  comforted  or  cared  for  him ; 
Think  how  he  prayed,  unaided  and  alone, 
In  that  dread  agony,  "  Thy  will  be  clone  ! " 
Friend,  do  not  thou  despair; 
Christ,  in  his  heaven  of  heavens,  will  hear  thy 
prayer. 

[From  the  German  of  Uhland.]       ( 


'For  whom   the   Lord   lovcth  he   chaster eth. "—  IIkhuews   xii.   G. 


Who  that  a  watcher  doth  remain 
Beside  a  couch  of  mortal  pain, 
Deems  he  can  ever  smile  a^ain  ? 


]|  Or  who  that  weeps  beside  a  bier, 

Counts  he  has  any  more  to  fear 
From  the  world's  flatteries,  false  and  leer  ? 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


( 

(  Oh,  heart  of  ours  !  so  weak  and  poor, 

(  That  nothing  there  can  long  endure; 

(  And  so  their  hurts  find  shameful  cure, — 

I 


And  yet  anon  and  he  doth  start 
At  the  light  toys  in  which  his  heart 
Can  now  already  claim  its  part. 


While  every  sadder,  wiser  thought, 
Each  holier  aim  which  sorrow  brought, 
Fades  quite  away,  and  comes  to  naught.         ( 

O  Thou  who  dost  our  weakness  know,  ) 

Watch  for  us,  that  the  strong  hours  so 

Not  wean  us  from  our  wholesome  woe.  ( 

)  ) 

( 

Grant  Thou  that  we  may  long  retain 
The  wholesome  memories  of  pain, 
Nor  wish  to  lose  them  soon  again. 

[Richard  Chenevix  Trench.]       ( 

( 
) 

(1 
.J 


^ 


148 


-^-_     _     _     _      _     _     _     _     _     _     _,~_=^5^ 

AN    ANCIENT    CHORAL.  Wj 

(' 


"  O  Lamm  Gottes  Unschuldig." 

Lamb  of  God,  harmless,  holy, 


I 

I 

: 
( 

On  the  cross  sacrificed  for  me;  ( 

Quiet,  and  meek,  and  lowly,  ( 

Though  sinful  men  did  deride  thee ;  ( 

Thou,  our  sins  taking,  bearing,  J 

Dost  forbid  our  despairing,  ) 

On  us  have  mercy,  Lord   Jesus. 

Lamb  of  God,  in  dust  lying, 

In  tears  and  blood  bathing  sadly,  ( 


To  thee  for  refuge  flying, 

We  meet  all  pains  and  death  gladly; 

Thy  wrestling,  grieving,  sighing, 

Thy  agonizing,  dying, 
Bring  us  sweet  peace,  O  Lord  Jesus. 

Lamb  of  God,  harmless,  holy,  ) 

Making  thyself  an  oblation ; 
Quietly,  meekly,  lowly, 

Winning  for  us  our  salvation ; 
Thy  love  in  grace  shall  sustain ; 
Thy  love  to  love  doth  constrain, 
Now  and  for  ever,  Lord  Jl 

149 


"  Denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly, 
righteously,  and  godly,  in  this  present  world."  — Titus  ii.  12. 


(fiP*  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE.  &*\ 

} I 

( 

) 

) 
( 

) 
( 

<■ 

1) 

Live  for  thyself!  let  each  successive  morn  ) 

Rouse  thee  to  plans  of  self-indulgent  ease;  ) 

And  every  hour  some  new  caprice  be  born,  \ 

Till  all  be  thrown  aside  that  does  not  please :  ( 

So  shalt  thou  learn  how  shallow  is  the  fount  ( 

Whose   glittering  waves   all  wholesome   thirst  ? 

destroy,  ) 

And  heartsick,  even  in  youth,  begin  to  count  ) 

Springs  without  hope,  and  summers  blank  of  ) 

j°y !  () 

Live  for  thy  fellow-men !  let  all  thy  soul  ( 

Be  given  to  serve  and  aid,  to  cheer  and  love ;     ( 

Make  sacrifice  of  self,  and  still  control  ^ 

All    meaner  motives   which  the  heart  might      ) 

move :  ) 

The  sting  of  disappointment  shall  be  thine;  ) 

The  meed  of  base  ingratitude  be  won;  ^ 

Rare  veins  of  gold  illume  the  labored  mine,  ( 

And  toil  and  sadness  cloud  thy  setting  sun !        n 

) 

Jk 

150 


m 


A    PRAYER    FOR    GUIDANCE. 


*m 


% 


Live  for  thy  God !     Thine  anchor  shall  be  cast 

Where  no  false  quicksands  shift  its  hold  away ; 
Through  the  clear  future,  from  the  sunrise  past, 

Glows  the  calm  light  along  the  even  way. 
The  loss  of  human  hope  shall  vex  no  more 

Than  the  quick  withering  of  earth's  common 
flowers, 
For  well  thou  know'st  when  pain  and  death  are 
d'er, 

Eternal  spring  shall  glad  the  heavenly  bowers ! 


*-€/22/3 


A  Pcarcr  for  (Mianae* 

Father!  the  skies  are  dark  above  me, 
Before  me  lies  a  trackless  waste  ; 

Long  hast  thou  thus  seen  good  to  prove  me, 
O  God !  to  my  deliverance  haste. 

I  do  not  ask  that  thou  shouldst  lighten 
The  clouds  impending  o'er  my  way  ; 

I  only  ask  that  thou  would'st  brighten 
Their  darkness  with  one  guiding  raw 


151 


A*P*  '  SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 

I  pray  thee  not  to  make  less  weary 

The  waste  through  which  my  pathway  lies ; 

I  would  see  that  path,  though  dreary, 
And  feel  'tis  leading  to  the  skies. 


Guide  me,  my  Father !  if  before  me 

The  Angel  of  thy  presence  go,  ) 

I  will  not  shrink,  though  clouds  are  o'er  me,  ) 

And  round  me  gathered  many  a  foe.  ) 


I  do  not  falter  at  the  distance 


Weary  as  seems  this  earth-existence, 
I  know  'tis  bounded  by  the  tomb. 


(' 


Between  me  and  my  heavenly  home;  ) 

<> 

<' 

) 
( 
Nor  do  I  dread  the  ills  that  gather 

Thick  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave ;  ) 

Nor  from  life's  cares  and  griefs,  my  Father, 

Do  I  implore  thy  power  to  save. 


( 

,; 

Only  from  this,  —  the  darkness  brooding  ) 

O'er  every  path  of  life  I  tread, 
And  from  the  gloomy  fear  intruding, 

That  thou  my  spirit  ne'er  hast  led,- 


152 


^■^lV^-\ 


V-X\_^^X_^ 


A    PRAYER     FOR    GUIDANCE. 


(|       I  seek  thy  aid,  I  ask  direction, 

Teach  me  to  do  what  pleaseth  thee ; 

)      I  can  bear  toil,  endure  affliction, 
Only  thy  leadings  let  me  see. 

) 
( 

Saviour !  thou  kuowest  earth  is  dreary, 

For  thou  hast  trod  its  thorny  maze ; 


)       Guide  me  through  all  its  wanderings  weary, 


Keep  me  for  ever  in  thy  ways ! 


I 

) 
( 

j       O  God  !  my  God,  make  no  delaying, 

Haste  thee  to  help  me  when  I  cry ; 
(        Oh,  let  me  hear  thy  spirit  saying, 

"  This  is  the  wav,  the  Guide  is  nigh ! 

) 
( 

Guidance  and  strength  from  thee  imploring, 

Jesus,  my  prayer  ascends  to  thee ; 

'  )      Lead  me  through  life,  that  I,  adoring, 

May  praise  thee  in  eternity. 

!■ 

) 
( 

i1 

) 

( 

<> 

) 


153 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER     AND    PRAISE. 


I  thank  thee,  O    my  God !  who  made 
The  earth  so  bright, — 

So  full  of  splendor  and  of  joy, 
Beauty  and  light ; 

So  many  glorious  things  are  here, 
Noble  and  bright. 


I  thank  thee,  too,  that  thou  hast  made 

Joy  to  abound; 
So  many  gentle  thoughts  and  deeds 

Circling  us  round; 
That  in  the  darkest  spot  on  earth 

Some  love  is  found. 


I  thank  thee  more  that  all  our  joy 

Is  touched  with  pain ; 
That  shadows  fall  on  brightest  hours; 

That  thorns  remain  : 
So  that  earth's  bliss  may  be  our  guide, 

And  not  our  chain. 


154 


THANKFULNESS. 


For  thou,  who  knowest,  Lord,  how  soon 

Our  weak  heart  cliugs, 
Hast  given  us  joys  tender  and  true, 

Yet  all  with  wings; 
So  that  we  see  gleaming  on  high, 

Diviner  things. 


I  thank  thee,  Lord,  that  thou  hast  kept 

The  best  in  store ; 
We  have  enough,  yet  not  too  much 

To  long  for  more; 
A  yearning  for  a  deeper  peace, 

Not  known  before. 


I  thank  thee,  Lord,  that  here  our  souls, 
Though  amply  blest, 
j  Can  never  find,  although  they  seek, 

A  perfect  rest ; 
Nor  ever  shall,  until  they  lean 
( 


On  Jesus'  breast! 

')  [Adelaide  Proctor.] 

( 
) 
( 

0 

I 
\ 

(I 

L 


155 


^<=^= 


-J» 


w 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


ron's  Bream* 

Abou  Ben  Adhem  (may  his  tribe  increase  !) 

Awoke  one  night  from  a  deep  dream  of  peace, 

And  saw,  within  the  moonlight  of  his  room, 

Making  it  rich  and  like  a  lily's  bloom, 

An  angel  writing  in  a  book  of  gold. 

Exceeding  peace  had  made  Ben  Adhem  bold,       ( 

And  to  the  presence  in  the  room  he  said, 

"  What   writest  thou  ? "     The  vision   raised   his 

head,  ) 

And,  in  a  voice  made  all  of  sweet  accord, 
Answered,   "  The  names  of  those  who  love  the 

Lord." 
"  And  is  mine  one  ?  "  Ben  Adhem  asked.     "  Not     ( 

so,"  ( 

Replied  the  angel.     Abou  spoke  more  low, 
But  cheerly  still.     "I  pray  thee,  then, 
Write  me  as  one  who  loves  his  fellow  men." 
The  angel  wrote,  and  vanished.     The  next  night 
He  came  again,  with  a  great  wakening  light, 
And  showed  the  names  whom  love  of  God  had 

blest ;  ( 

And,  lo!  Ben  Adheni's  name  led  all  the  rest. 

[Leigh  Uunt.J 


156  Wk 


Evening  Hynuou 


44  Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  before  thee  as  incense  ;  and  the  lift- 
ing up  of  my  hands  as  the  evening  sacrifice."  —  Psalm  cxli.  2. 


Sweet  Saviour!  bless  us  ere  we  go; 

Thy  word  into  our  minds  instill, 
And  make  our  lukewarm  hearts  to  glow 
TTith  lowly  love  and  fervent  will ; 
Through  life's  long  day  and  death's  dark  night, 
O  gentle  Jesus,  be  our  li^ht. 

The  day  is  done,  its  hours  are  run, 

And  thou  hast  taken  count  of  all, — 
The  scanty  triumphs  grace  Lath  won, 
The  broken  vow,  the  frequent  fall; 
Through  life's  long  day  and  death's  dark  night, 
O  gentle  Jesus,  be  our  I 


Grant  us,  dear  Lord,  from  evil  ways 

True  absolution  and  release, 
And  bless  us  more  than  in  past  days, 
With  purity  and  inward  peace; 
igb  life's  long  day  and  death's  dark  I 
O  gentle  Jesus,  be  our  light. 


SONGS    OF     PRAYER     AND     PRAISE. 


Do  more  than  pardon,  —  give  us  joy 

Sweet  fear  and  sober  liberty, 
And  simple  hearts  without  alloy, 
That  only  long  to  be  like  thee; 
Through  life's  long  day  and  death's  dark  night, 
O  gentle  Jesus,  be  our  light. 

Labor  is  sweet,  for  thou  hast  toiled, 

And  care  is  light,  for  thou  hast  cared 
Ah !  never  let  our  work  be  soiled 
With  strife,  or  by  deceit  ensnared; 
Through  life's  long  day  and  death's  dark  night, 
O  gentle  Jesus,  be  our  light. 

For  those  we  love,  —  the  poor,  the  sad ; 

The  sinful,  —  unto  thee  we  call; 
Oh,   let  thy  mercy  make  us  glad ! 
Thou  art  our  Jesus  and  our  all. 
Through  life's  long  day  and  death's  dark  night, 
O  gentle  Jesus,  be  our  light. 

Sweet  Saviour !  bless  us ;  night  is  come ; 
Through  all  its  watches  near  us  be; 
1         Good  angels  watch  about  our  home, 
And  we  are  one  day  nearer  thee. 
Through  life's  long  day  and  death's  dark  night, 
O  gentle  Jesus,  be  our  light. 

[Frederick  Fabcr.J 

j&~  ~_~. ,-. ,-. .-. ,-.^.. -_-_-„-_-_- 


ALL,    ALL    IS     KNOWN    TO    THEE. 


all  Is  kaowa  to  Thee. 


"When  mj'  spirit  was  ovcrwhclmned  within  me,  then  thou  knew- 
est  my  path." —Psalm  cxlii.  3. 


My  God,  whose  gracious  pity  I  may  claim, 
Calling  thee  Father,  sweet,  endearing  name ! 
The  sufferings  of  this  weak  and  weary  frame, 
All,  all  are  known  to  thee. 

From  human  eye  'tis  better  to  conceal 
Much  that  I  suffer,  much  I  hourly  feel ; 
But  oh  !  the  thought  does  tranquil ize  and  heal, — 
All,  all  is  known  to  thee. 

Each  secret  conflict  with  indwelling  sin, 
Each  sickening  fear  I  ne'er  the  prize  shall  win, 
Each  pang  from  irritation,  turmoil,  din, — 
All,  all  are  known  to  thee. 

When  in  the  morning  unrefreshed  I  wake, 
Or  in  the  night  but  little  sleep  can  take, 
This  brief  appeal  submissively  I  make, — 
All,  all  is  known  to  thee. 


159 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE.  « 

Nay,  all  by  thee  is  ordered,  chosen,  planned, — 
Each  drop  that  fills  my  daily  cup;   thy  hand 
Prescribes  for  ills  none  else  can  understand. 
All,  all  is  known  to  thee. 

The  effectual  means  to  cure  what  I  deplore; 
In  me  thy  longed-for  likeness  to  restore; 
Self  to  dethrone,  never  to  govern  more, — 
All,  all  are  known  to  thee. 

And  this  continued  feebleness,  this  state 
Which  seems  to  unnerve  and  incapacitate, 
Will  work  the  cure  my  hopes  and  prayers  await, — 
That  can  I  leave  to  thee. 

Nor  will  the  bitter  draft  distasteful  prove, 
When  I  recall  the  Son  of  thy  dear  love; 
The  cup  thou  wouldst  not  for  our  sakes  remove, — 
That  cup  he  drank  for  me. 

He  drank  it  to  the  dregs,  —  no  drop  remained 
Of  wrath,  for  those  whose  cup  of  woe  he  drained ; 
Man   ne'er   can  know  what   that   sad  cup   con- 
tained, — 

All,  all  is  known  to  thee. 


160 


EARTHLY    AND    HEAVENLY    INTEREST. 


m 


~~*e/g/d~' — 


161 


: 


And  welcome,  precious  can  his  Spirit  make 

My  little  drop  of  suffering  for  his  sake.  ( 

Father,  the  cup  I  drink,  the  path  I  take, —  J 

All,  all  is  known  to  thee 


lateccst.  \ 


Bex  Adam  had  a  golden  coin,  one  day. 

Which  he  put  at  interest  with  a  Jew; 
Year  after  year,  awaiting  him,  it  lay. 

Until  the  doubled  coin  two  pieces  grew,  ( 

And  these  two,  four,  —  so  on,  till  people  said,        J 

"How  rich   Ben  Adam   is!"   and   bowed   the 

servile  head. 

Q 


Ben  Selim  had  a  golden  coin,  that  day, 

Which  to  a  stranger,  asking  alms,  he  gave, 
Who  went  rejoicing  on  his  unknown  way. 

Ben  Selim  died,  too  poor  to  own  a  grave, 
But  when  his  soul  reached  heaven,  angels  with     ( 
pride 
Showed  him  the  wealth  to  which  his  coin  had 
multiplied. 


I  Nearer. 


"For  now  is  your  salvation  nearer  than  when  ye  believed."  — Rom. 
xiii.  11. 

|)  Nearer  !  yes,  we  felt  it  not, 

j)  'Mid  the  rushing  of  the  strife, 

As  we  mourned  our  changeful  lot, 
Toiled  beneath  our  shadowed  life ; 
By  each  step  our  worn  feet  trod, 
We  were  drawing  nearer  God. 


When  the  day  was  all  withdrawn, 

And  we  walked  in  tenfold  night; 
When  we  panted  for  the  dawn 
Of  the  ever-blessed  light, — 
In  those  hours  of  darkness  dim, 
We  were  drawing  nearer  Him. 


When  beneath  the  sudden  stroke, 
All  our  joys  of  life  went  down ; 
When  our  best-beloved  broke 

Earthly  bounds  to  take  their  crown, 
By  the  upward  path  they  trod, 
Nearer  drew  we  to  our  God. 

162 


DRAWING    NEARER.  <? 

In  those  days  of  bitter  woe, 

Wb  iw  their  smile  no  more; 

When  01^  hearts  were  bleeding  slow, 
Stricken,  stricken,  oh,  how  sore ! 
While  we  lay  beneath  the  sod, 
We  were  ^nearer  to  our  God. 

When  upon  our  lifted  eye, 

Gleamed  a  vision  cf  our  Home; 
When  we  saw  the  glory  high, 

Flooding  all  that  spotless  dome, — 
In  that  hour  of  raptured  sight, 
Pressed  we  nearer  our  delight. 

Through  the  long  and  vanished  years. 
Doubting,  struggling,  and  depressed, 
Shrouded  with  their  mists  of  tears, 
We  were  passing  to  our  rest; 
Tempest-tossed  and  current-driven, 
Ever  drawing  nearer  heaven. 

[American  Presbyterian  J 


5k* 


163 


)ftP>  SONGS     OF     PRAYER     AND     PRAISE. 


! 


And  lay  it  down. 


)     In  the  still  silence  of  the  voiceless  night, 

\  "Wl-»n-t-»       /->V»  o  o/^rJ      Tvrr    omv    rl-nckorv-icj        +V»£k     cliitY>V\Q'na     -Han 

} 


When,  chased  by  airy  dreams,  the  slumbers  flee, 
Whom  in  the  darkness  doth  my  spirit  seek, 
O  God,  but  thee  ? 

)     And  if  there  be  a  weight  upon  my  breast,  J 

)     Some  vague  impression  of  the  day  foregone, 
Scarce  knowing  what  it  is,  I  fly  to  thee, 


) 
( 

(     Or  if  it  be  the  heaviness  that  comes  ^ 

In  token  of  anticipated  ill,  ) 

)     My  bosom  takes  no  heed  of  what  it  is,  ) 

)  Since  'tis  thy  will.  j 

(  < 

For,  oh !  in  spite  of  past  and  present  care, 

(       Or  any  thing  beside,  how  joyfully  r 

)     Passes  that  almost  solitary  hour, 

My  God,  with  thee! 

|  .  } 

(      More  tranquil  than  the  stillness  of  the  night, 

(      More  peaceful  than  the  silence  of  that  hour, 

(      More  blest  than  any  thing,  my  spirit  lies 

Beneath  thy  power. 


164 


^~M 


^  EXAGGERATION    OF    ILL. 


For  what  is  there  on  earth  that  I  desire, 
Of  all  that  it  can  give  or  take  from  me, 
Of  whom  in  heaven  doth  my  spirit  seek, 
O  God,  but  thee  ? 

— *&&* — 


Exaggeration  of  IIL 


"Neither  be  ye  of  doubtful  mind."  —  Luke  xii.  20. 

T7e  overstate  the  ills  of  life,  and  take 

Imagination,  given  us  to  bring  down 

The  choirs  of  sin^in^;  angels  overshone 

By  God's  clear  glory.  —  down  our  earth  to  rake, 

The  dismal  snows  instead ;  flake  following  flake, 

To  cover  all  the  corn.     We  walk  upon 


The  shadow  of  hills  across  a  level  throne, 
And  pant  like  climbers.     Near  the  alderbrake, 
We  siiih  so  loud,  the  nightingale  within 
Refuses  to  sine*  loud,  as  else  she  would. 
O  brothers !  let  us  leave  the  sin  and  shame 
Of  taking  vainly,  in  a  plaintive  mood, 
The  holy  name  of  Grief  !  —  holy  herein, 
That  by  the  grief  of  One,  came  all  our  \ 

[.Mrs.  Browning.] 
165 


^  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE.  «*~H 


1 


Tb.e  Peace  of  God. 


"  Peace  I  leive  with  you,  my  peace  I  give  unto  you  :  not  as  the 
world  giveih,  give  I  unto  you.  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled, 
neither  let  it  be  afraid."—  Jon;*-  xiv.  27. 


Source  of  my  life's  refreshing  springs, 
Whose  presence  in  my  heart  sustains  me, 

Thy  love  appoints  me  pleasant  things, 
Thy  mercy  orders  all  that  pains  me. 

If  loving  hearts  were  never  lonely, 

If  all  they  wish  might  always  be, 
Accepting  what  they  looked  for  only, 

They  might  be  glad,  but  not  in  thee. 

Well  may  thy  own  beloved,  who  see 

In  all  their  lot  their  Father's  pleasure,  r' 

Bear  loss  of  all  they  love,  save  thee,  J 


1  Their  living,  everlasting  treasure.  1) 

) 
Well  may  thy  happy  children  cease 

From  restless  wishes  prone  to  sin,  > 

And  in  thy  own  exceeding  peace, 

Yield  to  thy  daily  discipline.  ( 

J 


[Mrs.  "Waring.] 


— +~v?ja 


Beyond  these  chilling  winds  and  gloomy  skies, 

Beyond  death's  cloudy  portal, 
There  is  a  land  where  beauty  never  dies, 

And  love  becomes  immortal. 

A  land  whose  light  is  never  dimmed  by  shade, 

Whose  fields  are  ever  vernal; 
Where  nothing  beautiful  can  ever  fade, 

But  blooms  for  aye,  eternal. 

We  may  not  know  how  sweet  the  balmy  air, 
How  bright  and  fair  its  flowers  ; 

We  may  not  hear  the  songs  that  echo  I 
Through  those  enchanted  bo  v. 


.! 


We  need  as  much  the  cross  we  bear 
As  air  we  breathe,  —  as  light  we  sec; 


It  draws  us  to  thy  side  in  prayer; 
It  binds  us  to  our  strength  in  thee. 

i, 


/  ^  SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 

I) - 

(J 

(      The  city's  shining  towers  we  may  not  see, 
(  With  our  dim  earthly  vision  ; 


(I 


(' 


For  death,  the  silent  warder,  keeps  the  key 
That  opes  those  gates  elysian. 


[) 
( 
) 
( 

( 

(      But  sometimes,  when  adown  the  western  sky 


The  fiery  sunset  lingers, 


)     Its  golden  gates  swing  inward  noiselessly, 
)  Unlocked  by  unseen  fingers. 


And  while  they  stand  a  moment  half  ajar, 


)  Gleams  from  the  inner  glory 

Stream  brightly  through  the  azure  vault  afar, 


And  half  reveal  the  story. 


m 


) 
( 
) 

)  O  land  unknown  !  O  land  of  love  divine  ! 

)  Father  all  wise,  eternal, 

(  Guide,  guide  these  wandering,  way-worn  feet  of 
(  mine 

(  Into  those  pastures  vernal. 


TARRY    WITH     ME. 


Tare?  with  Me. 


"  Abide  with  us  ;  for  it  is  toward  evening,  and  the  day  is  far 
spent."— Luke  xxiv.  29. 


Tarry  with  me,  O  my  Saviour! 

For  the  day  is  passing  by ; 
See  !  the  shades  of  evening  gather, 

And  the  night  is  drawing  nigh; 
Tarry  with  me  !  tarry  with  me ! 

Pass  me  not  unheeded  by. 

Many  friends  were  gathered  round  me, 
In  the  bright  days  of  the  past ; 

But  the  grave  has  closed  above  them, 
And  I  linger  here  the  last. 

I  am  lonely;  tarry  with  me 
Till  the  dreary  night  is  past. 

Dimmed  for  me  is  earthly  beauty; 

Yet  the  spirit's  eye  would  fain 
Rest  upon  thy  lovely  features; 

Shall  I  seek,  dear   Lord,  in  vain  ? 
Tarry  with  me,  O  my  Saviour, 

Let  me  see  thy  smile  again. 

169 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


Dull  my  ear  to  earth-born  music ; 

Speak  thou,  Lord,  in  words  of  cheer ; 
Feeble,  tottering  my  footstep, 

Sinks  my  heart  with  sudden  fear; 
)  Cast  thine  arms,  dear  Lord,  around  me, 

Let  me  feel  thy  presence  near. 


Faithful  memory  paints  before  me 
Every  deed  and  thought  of  sin ; 

Open  thou  the  blood-filled  fountain, 
Cleanse  my  guilty  soul  within ; 
)  Tarry,  thou  forgiving  Saviour! 

Wash  me  wholly  from  my  sin ! 


Deeper,  deeper,  grow  the  shadows, 
Paler  now  the  glowing  West; 

Swift  the  night  of  death  advances; 
Shall  it  be  the  night  of  rest? 
)  Tarry  with  me,  O  my  Saviour! 

Lay  my  head  upon  thy  breast ! 


{ 

( 

<; 

(\  Feeble,  trembling,  fainting,  dying, 
(  Lord,  I  cast  myself  on  thee; 

(  Tarry  with  me  through  the  darkness  ! 
/  While  I  sleep,  still  watch  by  me, 

)  Till  the  morning,  then  awake  me, 

)  Dearest  Lord,  to  dwell  with  thee. 

) 
( 


HEAVENLY    SOWING. 


Eoavealr  Sowing. 

( 

"Fie  that  sovrcth  the   good  seed  is  the    Son  of*  Man."— Matt.         ) 
xiii.  37.  |  ( 

Sower  Divine,  (* 

Sow  the  good  seed  in  me,  — 
Seed  for  eternity  ;  ) 

'Tis  a  rough,  barren  soil,  ) 

Yet,  by  thy  care  and  toil, 
Make  it  a  fruitful  field,  { 

A  hundred-fold  to  yield ;  ( 

Sower  Divine, 
Plough  up  this  heart  of  mine. 

J 

( 

Sower  Divine,  ( 

Quit  not  this  humble  field  ( 

Till  thou  hast  made  it  yield;  ) 

Sow  thou  by  day  and  night,  ) 

In  darkness  and  in  light ;  ) 

Stay  not  thy  hand,  but  sow, 
Then  shall  the  harvest  grow  ; 

Sower  Divine, 
Sow  deep  this  heart  of  mine. 


w^ 


SONGS    OF     PRAYER     AND     PRAISE. 

Sower  Divine, 
Let  not  this  barren  clay 
Lead  thee  to  turn  away; 
Let  not  my  fruitlessness, 
Provoke  thee  not  to  bless; 
Let  not  my  £eld  be  dry, 

Sower  Divine, 
Water  this  heart  of  mine. 


"  But  God  commendeth  his  love  toward  us,  in   that,  while  we 
were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us."—  Romans  v.  8. 


My  soul,  what  hast  thou  done  for  God  ? 

Look  o'er  thy  misspent  years  and  see; 
Sum  up  what  thou  hast  done  for  God, 

And  then  what  God  hath  done  for  thee. 

He  made  thee  when  he  might  have  made 
A  soul  that  would  have  loved  him  more  ; 

He  rescued  thee  from  nothingness, 
And  set  thee,  on  life's  happy  shore. 


172 


m 


THE    GIFTS    OF    GOD. 


I 

He  placed  an  angel  at  thy  side, 

And  strewed  joys  round  thee  on  thy  way  : 
/         He  gave  thee  rights  thou  couldst  not  claim, 
And  life,  free  life,  before  thee  lay. 

Had  God  in  heaven  no  work  to  do, 
But  miracles  of  love  for  thee  ? 

No  world  to  rule,  no  joy  in  self, 
And  in  his  own  infinity  ? 

So  must  it  seem  to  our  blind  eyes ; 

He  gave  his  love  no  Sabbath  rest, 
Still  plotting  happiness  for  men, 

And  new  designs  to  make  them  blest. 


From  out  his  glorious  bosom  came 

His  only,  his  eternal  Son ; 
He  freed  the  race  of  Satan's  slaves, 

And  with  his  blood  sin's  captives  won. 

The  world  rose  up  against  his  love, 
New  love  the  vile  rebellion  met ; 

As  though  God  only  looked  at  sin, 
Its  guilt  to  pardon  and  forget. 


173 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 

D ■ 

( 

(  For  his  eternal  Spirit  came 

To  raise  the  thankless  slaves  to  sons, 
And  with  the  seven-fold  gifts  of  love, 
To  crown  his  own  elected  ones. 

{ 

(  Men  spurned  his  grace ;  their  lips  blasphemed 

The  Love  who  made  himself  their  slave ; 
They  grieved  that  blessed  Comforter, 
1)  And  turned  against  him  what  he  gave. 

} 

/  Yet  still  the  sun  is  fair  by  day, 

)  The  moon  still  beautiful  by  night; 

)  The  world  goes  round,  and  joy  with  it, 

)  And  life,  free  life,  is  men's  delight. 


No  voice  God's  wondrous  silence  breaks, 
)  No  hand  put  forth  his  anger  tells; 

But  he  the  omnipotent  and  dread, 
On  high  in  humblest  patience  dwells. 


The  Son  hath  come,  and  maddened  sin 
The  world's  Creator  crucified ; 


(  The  Spirit  comes,  and  stays,  while  men 

(  His  presence  doubt,  his  gifts  deride. 


THE    GIFTS    OF    GOD.  *Wi 

) 


And  now  the  Father  keeps  himself 
In  patient  and  forbearing  love, 

To  be  his  creature's  heritage 
In  that  undying  world  above. 


Oh,  wonderful !  oh,  passing  thought, 

The  love  that  God  hath  had  for  thee ! 
Spending  on  thee  no  less  a  sum 
I  Than  the  undivided  Trinity. 

1 

Father,  and  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost 

Exhausted  for  a  thing  like  this! —  ) 

xhe  world's  whole  government  disposed  \ 

(  For  one  ungrateful  creature's  bliss  ! 


The  world's  whole  government  disposed 
For  one  ungrateful  creature's  bliss  ! 

( 

I  ) 

)         What  hast  thou  done  for  God,  my  soul  ?  ) 

Look  o'er  thy  misspent  years,  and  see;  ^ 

Cry  from  thy  worse  than  nothingness,  ( 

Cry  for  his  mercy  upon  thee! 

f 

>  I 

h  J 

rS%                              175  jg&k 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


m 


"  Be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might."  — Eph. 
vi.  10. 

Be  strong  to  hope,  O  heart! 

Though  day  is  bright, 
The  stars  can  only  shine 

In  the  dark  night; 
Be  strong,  O  heart  of  mine, 

Look  towards  the  li^ht ! 


He 


[Miss  Proctor.] 
176 


Be  strong  to  bear,  O  heart! 

Nothing  is  vain; 
Strive  not,  for  life  is  care, 

And  God  sends  pain ;  ( 

Heaven  is  above,  and  there  ) 

Rest  will  remain.  ) 

Be  strong  to  love,  O  heart!  ) 

Love  knows  not  wrong;  ) 

Didst  thou  love  creatures,  even 
Life  were  not  long ; 

Didst  thou  love  God  in  heaven,  ( 

Thou  wouldst  be  strong  ! 


PRAYER    FOR    DIVINE    GRACE.  '*ii 


Prayer  for  DMao  Grace. 

"Lord,  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  us."  — 
Psalm  iv.  6. 

Oh  for  those  solitary  hours 

When  grace  descends  in  silent  showers, 

When  all  the  visible  withdraws 

In  solemn,  fitful,  awful  pause, 

And  memory,  like  a  glassy  sea, 

Looks  up  in  calmness,  Lord,  to  thee ! 

Then  let  thine  image  on  this  heart 
Be  deeply  felt  in  every  part ; 
Each  motion  of  the  will  subdue, — 
Inform,  correct,  instruct,  subdue ; 
The  motives  guide, — the  thoughts  refine, 
Thyself  the  type  from  line  to  line. 

Eternal  brooding,  glorious  Dove  ! 
Breathe  sweetly  from  thy  throne  above ; 
The  miglit  of  every  wave  control, — 
Be  thou  the  conscience  of  my  soul, 
Till  self-absorbed,  I  sit  and  sing 
Beneath  the  shadow  of  thy  wing. 


177 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


!. 


Tin©  Bay  Laborer. 


"  In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withhold  not 
thy  hand;  for  thou  knowest  not  whether  shall  prosper,  either  this 
or  that,  or  whether  they  both  shall  be  alike  good."  —  Ecclesi- 
astes  11 :  6. 


Sow  ye  beside  all  waters, 

Where  the  dew  of  heaven  may  fall ; 
Ye  shall  reap  if  ye  be  not  weary, 

For  the  Spirit  breathes  o'er  all. 
Sow,  though  the  thorns  may  wound  iliee- 

One  wore  the  thorns  for  thee; 
And  though  the  cold  world  scorn  thee, 

Patient  and  hopeful  be. 
Sow  ye  beside  all  waters, 

With  a  blessing  and  a  prayer: 
Name  Him  whose  hand  upholds  us, 

And  sow  thou  every  where. 


Sow,  though  the  rock  repel  thee, 
In  its  cold  and  sterile  pride; 

Some  cleft  there  may  be  riven, 
Where  the  little  seed  may  hide. 


178 


~M 


THE     DAY    LABORER. 


"T8 


Fear  not,  for  some  will  flourish ;  ( 

And,  though  the  tares  abound,  ( 

Like  the  willows  by  the  waters  ) 

Will  the  scattered  grain  be  found.  ) 

Work  while  the  daylight  lasteth, 


Ere  the  shades  of  night  come  on ; 
Ere  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  cometh, 
And  the  laborer's  work  is  done. 

{ 

Work!  in  the  wild  waste  place, 

Though  none  thy  love  may  own,  ( 

God  guides  the  down  of  the  thistle  / 

The  wandering  wind  hath  sown. 
Will  Jesus  chide  thy  weakness,  ) 

Or  call  thy  labor  vain  ? 
The  word  that  for  him  thou  bearest, 


Shall  return  to  him  again.  ( 

On  !  —  with  thine  heart  in  heaven,  ( 

Thy  strength  in  thy  Master's  might, 
Till  the  wild  waste  places  blossom 

In  the  warmth  of  a  Saviour's  light. 

I) 
Watch  not  the  clouds  above  thee ; 

Let  the  whirlwind  round  thee  sweep ; 
God  may  the  seed-time  give  thee,  ( 

But  another's  hand  may  reap. 


m 


: 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE, 


Have  faith,  though  ne'er  beholding 

The  seed  burst  from  its  tomb; 
Thou  knowest  not  which  may  perish, 

Or  what  be  spared  to  bloom. 
Room  on  the  narrowest  ridges 

The  ripened  grain  will  find, 
That  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  coming 

In  the  harvest  sheaves  may  bind. 

[Church  Missionary  Gleaner.] 


"  A  very  aged  Christian,  who  was  so  poor  as  to  he  In  an  alms- 
house, was  asked  what  he  was  doing  now.     lie  replied,    "  Oxly 

WAITING." 


Only  waiting  till  the  shadows 

Are  a  little  longer  grown ; 
Only  waiting  till  the  glimmer 

Of  the  day's  last  beam  is  flown ; 
Till  the  night  of  earth  is  faded 

From  the  heart  once  full  of  day; 
Till  the  stars  of  heaven  are  breaking 

Through  the  twilight  soft  and  gray. 

180 


/^  ONLY    WAITING. 

Only  waiting  till  the  reapers 

Have  the  last  sheaf  gathered  home ; 
For  the  summer  time  is  faded, 

And  the  autumn  winds  have  come. 
Quickly,  reapers,  gather  quickly 

The  last  ripe  hours  of  my  heart, 
For  the  bloom  of  life  is  withered, 

And  I  hasten  to  depart. 

Only  waiting  till  the  angels 

Open  wide  the  mystic  gate, 
At  whose  feet  I  long  have  lingered, 

Weary,  poor,  and  desolate. 
Even  now  I  hear  the  footsteps, 

And  their  voices,  far  away ; 
If  they  call  me,  I  am  waiting, 

Only  waiting  to  obey. 

Only  waiting  till  the  shadows 

Are  a  little  longer  grown  ; 
Only  waiting  till  the  glimmer 

Of  the  day's  last  beam  is  flown  ; 
Then,  from  out  the  gathered  darkness, 

Holy,  deathless  stars  shall  rise, 
By  whose  light  my  soul  shall  gladly 

Tread  its  pathway  to  the  ski 

&  181 


I 


.' 


(  ^  SONGS     OF     PRAYER     AND     PRAISE. 

D 

( 
) 
( 

(> 
(' 

) 
( 

/  "And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before   God;  and 

\  the  books  were  opened  :  and  another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the 

(  book  of  lite  :  and  the  dead  were  judged  out  of  those  things  which 

)  were  written  in  the  books,  according  to  their  works."  — Rev.  xx.  12. 

)  Another  portion  of  life  rolls  on, 
The  week  glides  calmly  by; 
(  And  down  the  swift  stream  of  time  we  run 

(  To  the  sea  of  eternity. 

Who  knows  how  soon  the  hour  will  come 


When  the  sun  shall  put  out  his  light, 
And  the  Master  shall  call  his  laborers  home 
)  To  sleep  in  the  valleys  of  night. 

) 
( 

) 
( 


And  then  shall  he  take  a  strict  account 
Of  duties  neglected  or  done, 


')         And  millions  shall  read  their  vast  amount 
)  Recorded  one  by  one ; 


( 

<; 

(  And  none  another's  sin  shall  shield, 

) 
(  And  none  shall  hide  his  own. 


And  every  bosom  shall  be  unveiled 
And  every  secret  known, 


182 


w 


Oh  nothing  will  then  avail  us  there 

But  deeds  of  mercy  and  love ; 
For  each  his  burden  of  sin  must  bear 

^o  the  high  tribunal  above. 
To  have  trained  our  spirits  to  forgive, 

As  we  hope  to  be  forgiven, 
And   have  lived  on  earth  as  they  should  live 

Whose  hopes  and  home  are  heaven. 


We  are  weak  and  vain,  but  God  is  strong; 

We  are  blind,  but  his  piercing  eye, 
To  whose  orbit  all  space  and  time  belong, 

Embraces  infinity. 
We  wander,  —  his  spirit  leads  us  back 

To  the  heavenward  path  of  peace, 
And  his  glory  lights  the  holy  track 

That  ends  in  eternal  bliss. 

He  smiles  on  all,  —  and  though  drear  and  dark 

Our  journey  may  seem  to  be,  — 
A  joyous,  a  bright,  though  lonely  spark 

Shines  from  eternity. 
As  beneath  the  curtains  of  silver  snow 

The  flowers  of  the  valley  are  hid, 
So  the  flowers  of  hope  and  beauty  grow 

'Neath  the  grave's  pyramid. 


183 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE.  &\ 


v 

I 

(      Even  in  the  shadiest,  darkest  night, 
(  The  stars  shine  on  unseen; 

And  the  sun  is  clad  in  his  robes  of  light, 
)  Though  mists  intrude  between, 

)     And  the  grave,  though  dreary,  and  dull  and  deep, 
)  Is  bright  with  a  heaven-born  ray, 

id  its  long,  and  seemingly  listless  sleep, 


(  Shall  be  crowned  with  eternal  day. 


CBowring.] 


— ^e^3^~— 


"  Strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way,  which  leadcth  unto 
life."  — Matt.  vii.  14. 


Mid  the  fast  falling  shadows, 

Weary,  and  worn,  and  late; 
A  timid,  doubting  pilgrim, 

I  reach  the  wicket  gate. 
Where  crowds  have  stood  before  me, 

I  stand  alone  to-night; 
And,  in  the  deepening  darkness, 

Pray  for  one  gleam  of  light. 

184 


$&  THE    WICKET    GATE. 


From  the  foul  sloughs  and  marshes, 

I've  gathered  many  a  stain ; 
I've  heard  old  voices  calling,  > 

From  far  across  the  plain; 
Now,  in  my  wretched  weakness, 

Fearful  and  sad  I  wait; 


( 
) 
And  every  refuge  fails  me, 

Here,  at  the  wicket-gate.  ( 


And  will  the  portals  open 

To  me,  who  roamed  so  long;  ( 

Filthy,  and  vile,  and  burdened 

With  this  great  weight  of  wrong  ? 
Hark,  a  glad  voice  of  welcome, 

Bids  my  wild  fears  abate  — 
Look,  for  a  hand  of  mercy 

Opens  the  wicket-gate.  ( 

( 


185 


On  to  the  palace  Beautiful, 

And  the  bright  room  called  Peace; 
Down  to  the  silent  river, 

Where  thou  shalt  find  release ; 
Up  to  the  radiant  city, 

Where   shining  ones  await ; 
On,  for  the  way  of  glory 

Lies  through  the  wicket-sate. 


w 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


Thou  Grace  Divine,  encircling  all, 

A  soundless,  shoreless  sea, 
Wherein  at  last  our  souls  shall  fall, 

O  Love  of  God  most  free !  ( 

( 
When  over  dizzy  steeps  we  go,  ) 

One  soft  hand  blinds  our  eyes,  ) 

The  other  leads  us  safe  and  slow, 

O  Love  of  God  most  wise ! 


And  though  we  turn  us  from  thy  face,  ( 

And  wander  wide  and  long, 
Thou  hold'st  us  still  in  thine  embrace, 

O  Love  of  God  most  strong !  ) 

The  saddened  heart,  the  restless  soul,  ( 

The  toil-worn  frame  and  mind,  n 

Alike  confess  thy  sweet  control,  ) 
O  Love  of  God  most  kind  ! 


But  not  alone  thy  care  we  claim, 

Our  wayward  steps  to  win;  ( 

We  know  thee  by  a  dearer  name,  ( 

O  Love  of  God  within! 


SWEET    HOPE. 


— *~e/$/d~«- — 


And,  filled  and  quickened  by  thy  breath,         ( 

Our  souls  are  strong  and  free 
To  rise  o'er  sin,  and  fear,  and  death, 

O  Love  of  God,  to  thee  ! 


Sweet  Hope* 


Beyoxd  the  smiling  and  the  weeping 

I  shall  be  soon ; 
Beyond  the  waking  and  the  sleeping, 
Beyond  the  sowing  and  the  reaping, 
I  shall  be  soon. 
Love,  rest,  and  home, — 

Sweet  hope  !  ( 

Lord,  tarry  not,  but  come.  ( 


( 
Beyond  the  blooming  and  the  fading 

I  shall  be  soon  ; 

Beyond  the  shining  and  the  shading, 

Beyond  the  hoping  and  the  dreading, 

I  shall  be  soon. 

Love,  rest,  and  home, — 

Sweet  hope  !  ^ 

Lord,  tarry  not,  but  come.  ) 


187 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 

( 

( 

Beyond  the  rising  and  the  setting  (1 

I  shall  be  soon;  ( 

Beyond  the  soothing  and  the  fretting,  ) 
Beyond  remembering  and  forgetting, 

I  shall  be  soon.  ) 

( 

i 


Love,  rest,  and  home, 


Sweet  hope  ! 


Beyond  the  farewell  and  the  greeting, 
Hearts  fainting  now,  and  now  high  beating, 
I  shall  be  soon. 


,' 


Lord,  tarry  not,  but  come. 

( 
Beyond  the  gathering  and  the  strewing, 

I  shall  be  soon  ; 
Beyond  the  ebbing  and  the  flowing, 


1) 

Beyond  the  coming  and  the  going,  D 

I  shall  be  soon.  ) 

Love,  rest,  and  home, —  ) 

Sweet  hope !  ( 

Lord,  tarry  not,  but  come.  ( 

( 

Beyond  the  parting  and  the  meeting 

I  shall  be  soon  ;  ( 

) 
( 

) 
( 

Love,  rest,  and  home, —  ) 

( 
) 


Sweet  hope ! 
i,  tarry  not, 

188 

/ .- A« — ,<£> <— s «-~s ^-i e~ v s—± <--•> ^-* *-> £->> £Z2,. — sr^. — •<=>. — ji-^""^  jr^f / 


Lord,  tarry  not,  but  come.  ( 

I 


BRINGING    OUR    SHEAVES    WITH     US.  <££]) 

j 

Beyond  the  frost-chain  and  the  fever 
I  shall  be  soon; 
J  Beyond  the  rock-waste  and  the  river, 

)  Beyond  the  ever  and  the  never, 

I  shall  be  soon. 


} 


Love,  rest,  and  home, — 

Sweet  hope  ! 
Lord,  tarry  not,  but  come. 

J 

)  — *-e^a^ —  ) 

()  ) 


IPO 


rwagrag  owe  . 

) 


(        The  time  for  toil  is  past,  and  night  is  come, — 

The  last  and  saddest  of  the  harvest  eves  ;  ( 

i' 


Worn  out  with  labor  long  and  wearisome,  ( 

)      Drooping  and  faint  the  reapers  hasten  home,         ) 
)  Each  laden  with  his  sheaves. 


(' 


' 


)      Last  of  the  laborers,  thy  feet  I  gain,  ) 

Lord  of  the  harvest  !  and  my  spirit  grieves 
That  I  am  burdened  not  so  much  with  grain, 
As  with  a  heaviness  of  heart  and  brain ;  — 
Master,  behold  my  sheaves. 


^  SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND     PRAISE.  ^) 

J 

(      Few,    light,    and    worthless,  —  yet   their   trifling      ( 
(  weight  ( 

Through  all  my  frame  a  weary  aching  leaves  ;      ) 
For  long  I  struggled  with  my  hapless  fate, 
)     And  stayed  and  toiled  till  it  was  dark  and  late, 
Yet  there  are  all  my  sheaves. 


Full  well  I  know  I  have  more  tares  than  wheat, 


i' 

Brambles  and  flowers,  dry  stalks,  and  withered  ^ 

leaves-,  { 

Wherefore  I  blush  and  weep  as  at  thy  feet  ( 

('     I  kneel  down  reverently,  and  repeat, —  ) 

)                 Master,  behold  my  sheaves!  ) 

)  \ 


I 

I  know  these  blossoms,  clustering  heavily  ) 

)         With  evening  dew  upon  their  folded  leaves,         ) 
)     Can  claim  no  value  nor  utility  ;  — 

Therefore  shall  fragrancy  and  beauty  be 
(  The  glory  of  my  sheaves. 

( 

(  So  do  I  gather  strength  and  hope  anew, 

(  For  well  I  know  thy  patient  love  perceives 

(  Not  what  I  did,  but  what  I  strove  to  do ; 

)  And,  though  the  full,  ripe  ears  be  sadly  few, 

)  Thou  wilt  accept  my  sheaves. 

\  [Atlantic  Monthly.] 

) 


H_ 


190 


p 


WELCOME    DEATH. 

* 

} 

Welcome  Death. 

v  "  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,         v 

(  I  will  fear  no  evil."  — Psalm  xxiii.  4.  t 

When  death  is  drawing  near,  j) 

.  ( 

And  thy  heart  shrinks  with  fear,  ) 

And  thy  limbs  fail, —  ^ 

Then  lift  thy  hands  and  pray 

To  him  who  smooths  the  way 

/*  Through  the  dark  vale.  ,' 

} 
( 


)  See'st  thou  the  eastern  dawn? 

Hear'st  thou,  in  the  red  morn, 

( 
The  angels'  song  ? 


Then  lift  thy  drooping  head,  ^ 

Thou,  who  in  fear  and  dread, 

)                                             •  ) 

(                                Hast  lain  so  long !  n 

^                   Death  comes  to  set  thee  free  ;  ^ 

)                   Oh,  greet  him  cheerily,  ) 

)                                As  thv  true  friend !  ) 

(                                             *  ( 

Then  all  thy  fears  shall  cease,  \ 

And  in  eternal  peace,  * 

Thy  penance  end  !  ( 

s 
Ik __^_  _i9i 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER     AND     PRAISE. 


(] 

(' 
i» 

)  "While  we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are  Been,  but  at  the  things 

(         which  are  not  seen  :  for  the  things  which  are  seen  are  temporal ;  but 
)       the  things  which  are  not  seen  are  eternal."  — 2  Cor.  iv.  18. 


Q  So  dread  a  weight  appears  ? 

(  Keep  quietly  to  God,  and  think 

( 

* 
) 

(1 


How  shalt  thou  bear  the  Cross  that  now 


Upon  the  Eternal  Years. 


Austerity  is  little  help, 

Although  it  somewhat  cheers; 
)  Thine  oil  of  gladness  is  the  thought 

(}  Of  the  Eternal  Years. 

!' 

«' 

.; 

)  Rites  are  as  balm  unto  the  eyes, 

)  God's  Word  unto  the  ears ; 

(  But  he  will  have  thee  rather  brood 

(  Upon  the  Eternal  Years. 


102 


Set  hours  and  written  rule  are  good, 
Long  prayer  can  lay  our  fears; 

But  it  is  better  calm  for  thee 
To  count  the  Eternal  Years. 


w 


THE    ETERNAL     YEARS. 


m 


Oh  !  many  things  are  good  for  souls, 
In  proper  times  and  spheres; 

Thy  present  good  is  in  the  thought 
Of  the  Eternal  Years. 


Thy  self-upbraiding  is  a  snare, 
Though  meekness  it  appears; 

More  humbling  is  it  far  for  thee 
To  face  the  Eternal  Years. 


Brave  quiet  is  the  thing  for  thee, 
Chiding  thy  scrupulous  fears; 

Learn  to  be  real  from  the  thought 
Of  the  Eternal  Years. 


Bear  gently,  suffer  like  a  child, 

Nor  be  ashamed  of  tears; 
Kiss  the  sweet  Cross,  and  in  thy  heart 

Sing  of  the  Eternal  Years. 


Thy  Cross  is  quite  enough  for  thee, 

Though  little  it  appears ; 
For  there  is  hid  in  it  the  weiuht 

Of  the  Eternal  Years. 

193 


w 


r 

D- 

Q 
) 


SONGS    OF     PRAYER    AND     PRAISE. 

And  know'st  thou  not  how  bitterness 

An  ailing  spirit  cheers  ? 
Thy  medicine  is  the  strengthening  thought 

Of  the  Eternal  Years. 


One  Cross  can  sanctify  a  soul; 

Late  saints  and  ancient  seers 
Were  what  they  were  because  they  mused 

Upon  the  Eternal  Years. 


Pass  not  from  flower  to  pretty  flower; 

Time  flies  and  judgment  nears ; 
Go  make  thy  honey  from  the  thought 

Of  the  Eternal  Years. 


Death  will  have  rainbows  round  it  seen, 
Through  calm  contrition's  tears, 

If  tranquil  hope  but  trims  her  lamp 
At  the  Eternal  Years. 


Keep  unconstrainedly  in  this  thought 
Thy  loves,  hopes,  smiles,  and  tears  ; 

Such  prison-house  thy  heart  will  make 
Free  of  the  Eternal  Years. 

194 


i! 


LIFE    SPRINGING     FROM     DEATH. 

A  single  practice  long  sustained, 

A  soul  to  God  endears ; 
This  must  be  thine  to  weigh  the  thought 

Of  the  Eternal  Years. 

He  practices  all  virtue  well, 
Who  his  own  Cross  reveres, 

And  lives  in  the  familiar  thought 
Of  these  Eternal  Years. 


Life  springing  from  Death, 

The  seed  must  die  before  the  corn  appears 
Out  of  the  ground,  in  blade  and  fruitful  ears ; 
Low  have  these  ears  before  the  sickle  lain 
Ere  thou  canst  treasure  up  the  golden  grain. 
The  grain  is  crushed  before  the  bread  is  made 
And  the  bread  broke  ere  life  to  man  conveyed. 
Oh  !  be  content  to  die,  to  be  laid  low, 
And  to  be  crushed,  and  to  be  broken  so, 
If,  thou,  upon  God's  table  rnay'st  be  bread. 
Life-snvinor  food  for  souls  an  hungered. 

•  [Trench.] 


m 


SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 


Give  me  a  heart  of  calm  repose 


Give  me  to  live  that  higher  life, 
And  breathe  that*purer  air. 


i 

) 


) 

( 

(' 

)  Isaiah  xlviii.  ) 


(J  Amid  the  world's  loud  roar ;  ( 


A  life  that  like  a  river  flows,  ( 

Along  a  peaceful  shore.  ) 

<; 

(  I  would  roll  onward  to  the  deep,  ( 

(  In  brightness,  not  in  foam; 

)  And  'mid  earth's  noise  in  stillness  keep 

)  My  soul's  interior  home.  ') 

)  \] 

/  Come,  Holy  Spirit,  hush  my  heart  / 

)  With  gentleness  divine;  ) 

)  Indwelling  peace  thou  canst  impart,  ,) 

'\  Oh,  make  the  blessing  mine !  ) 

\  ^ 

)  Above  these  scenes  of  storm  and  strife, 

There  spreads  a  region  fair;  \ 


196 


.' 


Allay  this  feverish,  restless  mood, 

Arrest  life's  eager  chase, 
And  quench  the  thirst  for  earthly  good 
)  With  thy  bedewing  grace. 

) 

I  Come,  Holy  Spirit,  breathe  that  peace 

)  Which  flows  from  pardoned  sin; 

)  Then  shall  my  soul  her  conflict  cease, 

And  find  a  heaven  within. 


I 


THE     BEAUTIFUL     LAND.  ^ 


— +4/$/dr~ — 


TIic  B< 


/  "In  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions  :  if  it  were  not  so,  I 

\        would  have  told  you.    I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you."— Jon  x  xiv.  2. 


There  is  a  land  immortal, 
The  beautiful  of  lands; 
J  Beside  the  ancient  portal 

)  A  sentry  grimly  stands. 

He  only  can  undo  it, 
I  And  open  wide  the  door ; 

And  mortals  who  pass  through  it, 
Are  mortals  never  more. 


197 


is 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 

That  glorious  land  is  heaven, 

And  Death  the  sentry  grim; 
The  Lord,  therefore,  has  given 

The  opening  keys  to  him; 
And  ransomed  sinners,  sighing 

And  sorrowful  for  sin, 
Do  pass  the  gate  in  dying, 

And  freely  enter  in. 

Though  dark  and  drear  the  passage  ( 

That  leadeth  to  the  gate,  ) 

Yet  grace  comes  with  the  message  ) 

To  souls  that  watch  and  wait;  j 

And  at  the  time  appointed,  ', 

A  messenger  comes  down, 
And  leads  the  Lord's  anointed  ( 

From  cross  to  glory's  crown.  ) 



Their  sighs  are  lost  in  singing,  ) 

They're  blessed  in  their  tears, 
Their  journey  homeward  winging, 

They  leave  to  earth  their  fears. 
Death  like  an  angel  seemeth ; 

"We  welcome  thee,"  they  cry;  ( 

Their  face  with  glory  beameth,  —  ) 

'Tis  life  for  them  to  die.  ) 

[Barry  Cornwall.] 
198  £ 


< 


ZINZENDORFF'S    HYMN. 


j>  XmxeadlQrff  s  Hymn. 

)' 

\  "Christi  Blut  und  Gerechtigkeit." 

( 

Christ's  blood  and  righteousness  to  me, 

/  As  robe  and  ornament  shall  be ; 

)  With  these  I'll  stand,  nor  fear  the  rod, 

)  Before  the  awful  bar  of  God. 


If  through  thy  blood,  O  Lord,  I  be 
Here  doubly  faithful  unto  thee, 
And  hate  all  evil  for  thy  sake, 
(f  Till  death  at  last  shall  me  o'ertake : 

<; 

(  Then  will  I  when  I  come  to  thee, 

)  ,  ' 

Not  think  how  good  and  great  I  be, 

/  But  this  :  Here  comes  a  sinner,  Lord  ! 

Who  needs  thy  gracious  pard'ning  word  ! 

,j 

)  Jesus,  thy  praise  the  earth  shall  rend, 

)  That  thou  from  heaven  didst  condescend 

)  And  for  mankind,  and  for  my  sake, 

*  Eternal  ransom  here  didst  make. 

( 
) 


199 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


( 

«; 

i.g  JtJ.yam.  ji 

.  ) 

By  the  Baron  von  Carnitz  of  the  17th  century.    Translated  by  Dr.  ) 

Arnold.  ( 

■ 

Come,  my  soul,  thou  must  be  waking, —  J) 

Now  is  breaking  ) 

O'er  the  earth  another  day; 

Come  to  him  who  made  this  splendor, —  ( 

See  thou  render  ( 

All  thy  feeble  powers  can  pay.  ) 

From  the  stars  thy  course  be  learning:  ) 

Dimly  burning,  ) 

'Neath  the  sun  their  light  grows  pale;  ) 

So  let  all  that  sense  delighted,  \ 
While  benighted 

From  God's  presence,  fade  and  fail. 

Lo!  how  all  of  breath  partaking,  ( 

Gladly  waking,  ( 

Hail  the  sun's  enlivening  light!  ) 
Plants,  whose  life  mere  sap  doth  nourish, 

Rise  and  flourish  ) 

When  he  breaks  the  shades  of  night.  j 


A    MORNING     HYMN. 


Thou,  too,  hail  the  light  returning,  -— 
Ready  burning 

Be  the  incense  of  thy  powers; 
For  the  night  is  safely  ended, — 
God  hath  tended, 

With  his  care,  thy  helpless  hours. 

Pray  that  he  may  prosper  ever 
Each  endeavor, 

When  thine  aim  is  good  and  true  , 
But  that  he  may  ever  thwart  thee, 
And  convert  thee, 

When  thou  evil  wouldst  pursue. 

Think  that  he  thy  ways  beholdeth, 
He  unfoldeth 

Every  fault  that  lurks  within  ; 
Every  stain  of  shame  glossed  over 
Can  discover, 

And  discern  each  deed  of  sin. 

Fettered  to  the  fleeting  hours 
All  our  powers, 

Vain  and?  brief,  are  borne  away, 
Time,  my  soul,  thy  ship  is  steering, 
Onward  veering, 

To  the  gulf  of  death  a  prey. 

201 


/  «J~"  SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE.  "^  ) 

; ', 

(  May'st  thou,  then,  on  life's  last  morrow,  ( 

(  Free  from  sorrow,  ( 

) 

)  And,  released  from  death's  dark  sadness, 

)  Rise  in  gladness, 

(1  .  I 

\  That  far  brighter  Sun  to  greet. 

]) 
( 


( 


<; 

Only  God's  free  gift  abuse  not,  ( 

(  His  light  refuse  not,  ( 

)  But  still  his  Spirit's  voice  obey;  / 

)  Soon  shall  Joy  thy  brow  be  wreathing, 

)  Splendor  breathing, 


Fairer  than  the  fairest  day. 


f  ,; 

If  aught  of  care  this  morn  oppress  thee,  ( 

(               To  him  address  thee,  ( 

)                 Who,  like  the  sun,  is  good  to  all :  ) 
)              He  gilds  the  mountain-tops,  the  while 

)              His  gracious  smile  j 

\                  Will  on  the  humblest  valley  fall.  \ 

<  .  .  i 

Round  the  gifts  his  bounty  showers ;  ( 

Walls  and  towers, 
)  Girt  with  flames,  thy  God  shall  rear; 

Angel  legions  to  defend  thee 
Shall  attend  thee, — 

Hosts  whom  Satan's  gulf  shall  fear. 


202 


~Ji 


<P»  TRAVELER'S     HYMN.  *Wk 


Traveler's  Hybmx. 


"In  journeyings  often."— 2  Cor.  xi.  26. 

Lord,  go  with  us,  and  we  go 

Safely  through  the  weariest  length, 
Traveling,  if  thou  will'st  it  so, 

In  the  greatness  of  thy  strength ; 
Through  the  day  and  through  the  dark, 

O'er  the  land  and  o'er  the  sea, 
Speed  the  wheel  and  steer  the  bark, 

Bring  us  where  we  fain  would  be. 

In  the  self-controlling  car, 

'Mid  the  engine's  iron  din, 
"Waging  elemental  war, 

Flood  without  and  fire  within, 
Through  the  day  and  through  the  dark, 

O'er  the  land  and  o'er  the  sea, 
Speed  the  wheel  and  steer  the  bark, 

Bring  us  where  we  fain  would  be. 

[W.  Crosswell.] 


203 


M 


&>                             SONGS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE.            ^ 
( 

(' 

) 

J  Resting 

j 

( 

/  "I  foresaw  the  Lord  alway  before  my  face  ;  for  he  is  on  my  right        /' 

\        hand,  that  I  should  not  be  moved :  therefore  did  my  heart  rejoice,  \ 

(         and  my   tongue  was  glad  :  moreover  also   my    flesh  6hall  rest  in         ( 

hope."  — Acts  ii.  25,  26. 
Q 

) 


Though  the  world  thy  folly  spurneth, 


From  thy  faith  in  pity  turneth, 
(  Peace  thy  inmost  soul  shall  fill, 

) 

( 

) 

&  204 


)  Since  thy  Father's  arm  sustains  thee, 
(  Peaceful  be ;  ( 

(  When  a  chastening  hand  restrains  thee,  \ 

(  It  is  he. 

)  Know  his  love  in  full  completeness  ( 


)  Fills  the  measure  of  thy  weakness; 

)  If  he  wound  thy  spirit  sore, 

Trust  him  more.  ^ 

( 
) 
( 

Without  murmur,  uncomplaining,  ) 

)  In  his  hand  ) 

)  Lay  whatever  things  thou  canst  not 

j  Understand. 


(  From  thy  faith  in  pity  turneth,  ( 


( 
)  Lying  still. 


RESTING     IN     GOD. 

Like  an  infant,  if  thou  thinkest 
Thou  canst  stand; 

Childlike,  proudly  pushing  back 
The  offered  hand, 

Courage  soon  is  changed  to  fear, 

Strength  doth  feebleness  appear. 

In  his  love  if  thou  abide 
He  will  guide. 


Fearest  sometimes  that  thy  Father 
(}  Hath  forgot  ? 

When  the  clouds  around  thee  gather, 
)  Doubt  him  not. 


m 


Always  hath  the  daylight  broken, — 
Always  hath  he  comfort  spoken, — 
Better  hath  he  been  for  years 
Than  thy  fears. 

( 

(  Therefore,  whatsoe'er  betideth, 

(  Night  or  day, — 

)  Know  his  love  for  thee  provideth 

)  Good  alway. 

)  Crown  of  sorrow  gladly  take, 

\  Grateful  wear  it  for  his  sake, 

I  Sweetly  bending  to  his  will, 
(  Lpng  still. 

I 
( 


J4V 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER    AND    PRAISE. 


To  his  own  thy  Saviour  giveth 

Daily  strength ; 
To  each  troubled   soul  that  liveth, 

Peace  at  length. 
Weakest  lambs  have  largest  share 
Of  this  tender  Shepherd's  care ; 
Ask  him  not,  then,  "When?"  or  "How?" 

Only  bow. 

[Translated  from  the  German.  ] 


206 


REST,    WEARY    SOUL.  .  <^h 

0 

( 
) 
( 

(' 

) 
( 


lost,  Fea^y  SotiL 


Rest,  weary  soul ! 


For  all  thy  sins  full  satisfaction  made ; 

Strive  not  thyself  to  do  what  Christ  has  done ; 


Cast  off  the  cares  that  have  so  long  oppressed,  — 


Rest,  weary  head ! 
Lie  down  to  slumber  in  the  peaceful  tomb, 
Light  from  above  has  broken  through  its  gloom ; 
Here,  in  the  place  where  once  thy  Saviour  lay, 
Where  lie  shall  wake  thee  on  a  future  day, 
Like  a  tired  child  upon   its  mother's  breast, — 


f 


The  penalty  is  borne,  the  ransom  paid,  j 


Take  the  free  gift,  and  make  the  joy  thine  own.     n 

No  more  by  pangs  of  guilt  and  fear  distrest, —     ) 

Rest,  sweetly  rest. 

{ 

Rest,  weary  heart ! 
From  all  thy  silent  griefs,  and  secret  pain, 
Thy  profitless  regrets  and  longings  vain ; 
Wisdom  and  love  have  ordered  all  the  past, 


All  should  be  blessedness  and  light  at  last;  ( 


Rest,  sweetly  rest.  ) 


Rest,  sweetly  rest ! 


) ... 


SONGS    OF    PRAYER     AND     PRAISE. 

Eest !  spirit  free  ! 
In  the  green  pasture  of  the  heavenly  snore, 
Where  sin  and  sorrow  can  approach  no  more  ; 
With  all  the  flock  by  the  good  Shepherd  fed, 
Beside  the  stream  of  life  eternal  led, 
For  ever  with  thy  God  and  Saviour  blest, — 

Rest,  sweetly  rest! 


